Is My Injury Severe Enough to File Worker’s Comp?
- Posted on: Mar 1 2019
If you’ve been injured on the job, but your injury doesn’t seem major, you may wonder if it’s worth going through the work to file a worker’s compensation claim. You may get treatment and not even need to take time off work. However, there’s always the case that you’ve injured yourself worse than what you realize. If you have been injured, but it doesn’t seem too severe, there are still some steps you need to take to determine if you need to file for worker’s comp.
Will You Be Off Work at All?
If you do need to take some time off work, it’s likely that you do need to file a worker’s comp claim. If you’ll only be off for the afternoon or for a day or two, your injury will likely be ruled too minor. However, if you are off work for more than that, you may want to consider worker’s comp, especially if it will take more than a week for you to recover.
How Extensive Are Your Injuries?
If you can take care of your injury with a standard first-aid kit, it’s not enough to file a worker’s comp case. Small cuts, scrapes, and bruises are considered too minor. Anything that requires an ambulance or a visit to the emergency room, however, is likely going to be severe enough to qualify for worker’s comp.
Do You Have Recurring Injuries or Pain?
If you have one headache due to being exposed to something at work, it’s likely not something worker’s comp will cover. However, if you’re in a work environment where you are constantly exposed to something that gives you headaches, it can be considered a hazard and is most likely covered by worker’s comp. So even if your injury doesn’t seem severe, if it’s recurring, you may still have a case. Issues that get worse over time can also qualify for worker’s comp. For example, your carpal tunnel syndrome may continue to get worse over time until it needs treatment.
Seek an Expert’s Opinion
While your thoughts on your injury are important, you’re most likely not a trained medical expert. What seems fine to you may actually be a sign of severe damage or injury. That’s why it’s important to visit Maximum Orthopedics when you’ve been injured at work. We will evaluate your injuries and help you determine if you should file a worker’s comp claim.
Posted in: Blog, Workers Compensation Benefits