3 Common Blunders to Avoid Following Your Work-Related Injury or Illness

If you've sustained injuries at your workplace or have just been diagnosed with a work-related illness, the immediate actions you adopt after the first few days will determine the success of your personal injury claim. This can either make or jeopardize your prospects of getting the compensation you need following your injuries or illness. Here are three of the more common blunders you should avoid after sustaining a work-related injury or illness.

Keeping silent

Many workers are often hesitant to inform their supervisor about an occupational injury or illness. This is because they fear they might be relieved of their duties. In some cases, the injured worker feels embarrassed. So, the injured worker may opt to work through the discomfort trying to convince themselves that the injury is not that severe. Nevertheless, failure to report the injury or illness immediately may work against you if the occupational injury fails to heal on its own.

What's more, compensation law in Australia has stringent time deadlines for reporting occupational injuries and filing a lawsuit. Failure to act within the stipulated timelines may significantly reduce your chances of receiving any compensation for your occupational injuries or illness.

Not receiving early medical treatment

The injured worker should see a physician as early as possible following their injury, when the events of how the injury transpired are still vivid in their mind. This avoids any probable scepticism over when the damage happened and whether or not it was actually work-related. Besides, it is typically very hard to persuade insurance firms and the Workers' Compensation jury that you've sustained severe injuries if in the first place you didn't go for medical treatment straight away.

In addition, insurance adjusters and employers may want you to undergo medical tests from their chosen doctor in order to confirm whether your injuries are indeed true and work-related. That's why it's always crucial to seek medical attention from a registered and certified doctor. Keep documentation of your medical treatment and adhere to the doctor's advice concerning treatment as well as follow-up appointments. The medical treatment documents will act as evidence of your injuries. 

Not seeking legal help

Following your work-related injury, you are likely to receive a lot of advice from family, friends and workmates regarding how you ought to advance with your claim. Nevertheless, even those who have experienced the process cannot wholly comprehend the unique elements of your individual case. That's why, it's important to seek the services of a personal injury attorney from a reputable legal firm as early as possible because they can build up a concrete case to help you receive maximum compensation. Note that early legal representation is often the best representation. Don't wait until your injury claim is turned down to seek legal help.