4 Things NOT to Do After a Work Injury

If you’ve been injured on the job, there are a number of steps you should take in order to take care of yourself and preserve your rights, including your right to workers’ compensation benefits.

I discuss a number of these work injury “Do’s”  including:

• Documenting the “who, what where, and how” of the accident
• Telling your boss
• Going to the doctor
• Keeping a detailed file about your injuries and your medical treatment.

But there are also a number things you shouldn’t do after a work injury. Four work injury “Don’t” are:

1. DON’T be afraid to exercise your right to seek workers’ compensation benefits. The system is there to protect you by providing you the resources you need to recover without having to file a lawsuit and prove fault, but it also protects your employer from being sued in court for large sums of money. As part of that deal, Georgia employers cannot do anything to intimidate or retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Not only can your employer not fire or threaten to fire you because you seek workers comp benefits, they can’t take any adverse employment actions against you including demotion or reduction of hours or responsibilities. Employers who retaliate against employees for exercising their rights can be subject to significant penalties and such conduct may be the basis of a claim for additional compensation.

2. DON’T give recorded or sworn statements to your employer, its workers’ comp insurance company, or anyone else without first speaking with an experienced Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer. Think of it as you would if you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime in the sense that anything you say can and may be used against you to fight or deny your claim for benefits.

3. DON’T post anything on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or any other social media site about your accident or injury. Like defense attorneys in personal injury cases, insurance company lawyers will look for posts, updates, pictures or any other evidence they can find online to challenge your claim as to the extent of your claimed injuries.

4. DON’T sign anything that relates to settling your claim, such as a release or a check that contains release language, without first consulting with a workers’ compensation lawyer. You should have a full understanding of your rights before you agree to any settlement to ensure that you aren’t being taken advantage of or being denied benefits to which you are entitled.

The Parian Law Firm: West Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

At The Parian Law Firm, we take pride in protecting the health and the rights of injured Georgia workers through skilled representation in workers compensation matters. If you’ve been injured on the job and are seeking workers’ compensation benefits, please give us a call at (770) 727-5550 or chat live online with a member of our staff today.