People getting injured at the workplace is not something unheard of in Missouri. And, if someone, unfortunately, has been in such an accident, the person deserves fair compensation for all the loss and suffering.
In order to attain compensation that covers all that, Call & Gentry Law Firm assistance is required for negotiation and representation purposes as they possess the knowledge as well as experience in the particular field.
There are some aspects of a workplace injury claim that make the employer or the insurance provider suspicious of the claim, and thus, such mistakes need to be avoided if someone wants to be fairly compensated.
What Mistakes Need to be Avoided
In this blog, we are going to look at some common mistakes that people make when making workplace injury claims that weaken their claim and allow the other party to question the legitimacy of the claim. Here is what you need to do:
Stay Off of Social Media
The first thing that needs to be avoided following a workplace injury claim is to post videos and photos of yourself on social media.
The other party, whether it is the employer or their insurance company, keeps a close eye on the social media handles of the person to gather any evidence that strengthens their defense and claim that the injury is not as severe as it is presented to be, which may result in a significant reduction in the compensation value pr worse, discard the claim entirely.
There are specific social media platforms that people think are less popular, and it would not lead to any trouble if something is posted there, but remember, when the other party is investigating, they will get on to any platform that allows them to view your posts publicly and gather evidence from there.
It is better to turn on as many privacy settings as possible or not put anything out there. Keep in mind that all your posts are considered “publications,” much like newspapers or websites, and can be used as open-source material evidence against you during the court proceeding to weaken your claim.
Do not Ignore Meeting Your Medical Appointments.
It is recommended not to ignore the medical appointments after the injury, including follow-ups. The medical records are vital and act as evidence to prove in court that your claim is accurate.
However, the diagnosis can be problematic as many employers and their insurance providers will want the claimant to comply with the request of having an evaluation by an “independent” doctor.
Such doctors are generally anything but independent. They will help the insurance provider build a defense case that shows that the injury is not as severe as claimed. Suppose you fail to meet such request appointments.
In that case, it can be used as documentation to support benefits stoppage or claim denial, and it is pretty standard in workplace injury claims where the defendants want to settle on a lump sum amount rather than continuing the benefits until the point where the person is capable of working again.
Do not Have a Discussion About the Injury
It will also be a wrong decision to discuss the seriousness of the workplace injury with anyone other than the medical professional and your workplace accident lawyer.
It is not recommended to put too much trust in anyone who may seem like a friend because they may pass on the information directly or indirectly to the defendants, who will use it to weaken your claim.
Be completely honest with your lawyer and medical technicians, as they both work in your best interest regarding financial compensation and recovery.
Proceeding Ahead with the Claim? Hire an Attorney!
Such workplace injury claims can be stressful and complex and require someone who is experienced in handling them. A workplace accident lawyer can represent you and even negotiate the compensation to ensure you get maximum value for all the pain and losses you suffered because of the injury.
