Should you file a worker’s compensation claim?

If you have been injured on the job, you might be scared. Whether the injury is minor or severe, being injured can lead to huge medical bills, lost wages, and may even have a negative effect on your ability to work. Everyone knows that they can file a worker’s compensation claim, but many hold fears that doing so could put their job at stake or anger their employers.

To be clear, all employees are protected by law after an injury at work. If you choose to file a worker’s compensation claim, your employer cannot legally fire you in retaliation. Employers are expected to provide safe working conditions for their employees, and when they fail to do so it is important to hold them responsible. It is your own choice whether you file a worker’s compensation claim, but choosing not to do so does you more harm than good.

Even small injuries have the potential to be life threatening if they go untreated, and any visit to the doctor can carry huge financial burdens. If your injuries are a result of performing your duties at work, then these burdens should not be yours alone to bare. This is why worker’s compensation exists, to protect you.

Waiting to file a worker’s compensation claim can also negatively impact your ability to receive the full compensation you deserve. The further away from the incident the claim is filed, the harder it will be to directly link the injuries to the accident. Your employer may choose to contest your claim, and if they do you will need the strongest claim possible. This is why it is important to seek immediate medical attention for your injuries, and move quickly to file your worker’s compensation claim.

After the accident, it is a good idea to speak to an attorney in your area with experience in worker’s compensation cases. Even simple cases can turn complicated quickly, and it is important to fully understand your rights as only an attorney can explain. To put it bluntly, without an attorney at your side it can be very difficult to receive the full compensation you deserve and be taken seriously by your company.

So, if you have been injured on the job, do not delay. Contact a skilled worker’s comp or personal injury lawyer Atlanta GA trusts and seek immediate compensation for your injuries. There is simply too much to lose, and everything to gain.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into workers compensation practice.