The Maryland workers’ compensation system can be complicated, leading many injured employees to make innocent errors that negatively impact their claims. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid when you file for workers’ compensation benefits.
Not Reporting the Injury Immediately
One of the first steps you must take after a work injury is to notify your employer. This notification must come within 10 days of the incident, ideally as soon as it happens. Delaying your injury report can jeopardize your claim, as the insurance company may argue that the delay means your injury wasn’t serious.
Failing to Seek Prompt Medical Treatment
You should also seek medical attention for your injury as soon as possible. When you seek treatment, it creates a paper trail of your injury and the treatments you received in your medical records. These records will be crucial evidence supporting your claim. In Maryland, you can choose your own doctor for treatment of a work-related injury.
Not Notifying Your Employer in Writing
While you can verbally notify your employer of your injury, it’s best to also do so in writing. When informing your employer of your injury via email, send a blind copy to your personal email account and keep the copy of the email in your records. This can be useful if your employer claims they never received notice of the injury.
Providing Incomplete or Inaccurate Information
When filing a workers’ compensation claim, you should be as detailed as possible about the incident and your injuries. This includes noting the date, time, and location of the incident, as well as the names of any eyewitnesses who may have observed the event. The more information you provide, the stronger your case will be.
Missing Deadlines for Filing the Claim
In most cases, injured employees have 60 days to file their workers’ comp claim with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission. Failing to file within this timeframe will likely result in the insurance company denying your claim.
Posting About the Injury on Social Media
Avoid posting about your injury or employer on social media while you have an active workers’ compensation case. The insurance company could check your social media for any posts it can use to deny or devalue your claim.
Trying to Handle the Claim Without Legal Help
One of the most common mistakes to avoid in workers’ compensation claims is trying to handle your case without legal assistance. The workers’ comp system is fast-paced, making it easy to miss deadlines, and insurance companies frequently try to lowball injured employees who don’t have legal representation in the hopes that they won’t know what their claim is worth.
Contact Trollinger Law LLC for a free consultation with an experienced Maryland workers’ compensation lawyer. Our attorneys can handle every aspect of your claim, from investigating the incident to filing your claim with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission and negotiating with your employer’s insurance company for the benefits you deserve.
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