Avoiding the Appearance of a Fraudulent Workers’ Compensation Claim
Most injured workers who pursue a claim for workers’ compensation are perfectly legitimate. After all, workplace injuries are so common in this country that the National Safety Council has asserted a worker is injured on the job every seven seconds. This means that well over 12,000 workers are injured on-the-job every single day and another fourteen die from their workplace injuries.
But despite the many legitimate injuries that happen every day at various workplaces throughout this country, the reality is that there are fraudulent employees who try to get fraudulent claims approved in order to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. The important thing is that you as a legitimately injured worker do not get looped in with fraudulent people as this can seriously affect your ability to recover.
What is Workers’ Compensation Fraud?
Workers’ compensation fraud occurs in many different circumstances. It can occur when an individual knowingly makes a false statement or hides information in order to receive the benefits of workers’ compensation. It is imperative that you choose the right workers’ compensation attorney to help you for the success of your claim.
What Should You Do to Help Avoid the Appearance of Fraud?
- Report your injury immediately. Many workplace injuries initially seems to be minor and you may not think that you should report your injury or pursue medical treatment. However, one of the top signs of fraud is a delayed medical report. Therefore, make sure that you report every injury promptly, even if at the time you do not intend to file a claim.
- Don’t let the day or time be a deterrent. Sometimes injuries of her occur at work at the end of the day after your manager has already left or late on a Friday going into the weekend when the company you work for is closed. But even if your supervisor or boss left before you were injured, you still shouldn’t wait to report your accident. Injuries that occur shortly before you leave work might be attributable to incidents unrelated to work that happened after you left if you fail to report your injuries.
- Comply with your medical treatment. Follow the doctors’ orders and continuously communicate the current state of your injuries. You should be aware that employers are especially suspicious when the services billed for by medical professionals seem excessive for the injury or when an injury that seems like it should have healed is ongoing. These potential issues are most easily disproven when you have complied with the protocol outlined by your workers’ compensation doctor.
Allow Us to Help You Prove Your Claim
Anyone who has been legitimately injured at work during the scope of employment is generally entitled to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. Importantly, you should understand that you are facing an employer and insurance company whose interests are directly against yours and therefore you have to advocate for yourself and your rights. However, you should not attempt to pursue these benefits alone. The Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates have significant experience helping people like you prove the circumstances of your injury so that you can begin to obtain the compensation you are entitled to. Begin by contacting us today to schedule a free consultation.
Resource:
nsc.org/work-safety/tools-resources/infographics/workplace-injuries
