No One Witnessed Your Injury at Work – Does That Mean You Have no Workers’ Comp Case?
- Posted on: May 15 2020
If you’ve been injured on the job in front of a number of witnesses, your workers’ comp claim may be hard to deny. However, what happens if you’re injured and no one else is around? That happens more often than you might think, and it leaves you without any witnesses. Are you simply out of luck? While your claim may be harder to win, it’s not impossible. It means you’ll need to rely on other evidence to make the case for you.
Document Everything
Because no one else was there to witness the accident, you need to make certain it’s officially documented by your supervisor immediately. If possible, take photos of what happened or ask someone else to if your injury prevents you from doing so. Don’t wait to report an injury, even if it seems minor at the time. It’s much harder to file workers’ comp for an injury that wasn’t reported.
When you’re able, write down a detailed report of what happened. Include every small detail, even if it seems unnecessary. Write down the time, the place, what happened immediately before the incident, and any related information. The more you document here, the better. Be sure to have someone witness the statement and sign off on it, adding the date and time it was written.
Be Honest
Unfortunately, there have been people who have tried to take advantage of the workers’ comp system by claiming they were injured when no one was looking. This makes it harder for those who truly were hurt to get the compensation they’re due. It also means you need to be completely honest. Don’t exaggerate anything or intentionally leave out any details when talking to your supervisor, your doctor, the workers’ comp board, and anyone else involved in the case. Don’t downplay your injuries, but don’t make them out to be worse than they actually are.
Work with a Doctor Familiar with Workers’ Comp Cases
Your doctor is going to be even more important in a case without witnesses since their report and testimony may be the only third-party evidence you have. You want to make certain they understand workers’ comp cases. The experts here at Maximum Orthopedics do, and they’re ready to help you with your case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Posted in: Blog, Orthopedics, Work Injuries, Workers Compensation Benefits