After sustaining injuries in a workplace accident, figuring out what to do next can be stressful. You may be worried about seeing a doctor and avoid seeking treatment for your injuries. Even if you think your injuries will go away on their own, not seeking medical attention after a workplace injury could affect your workers’ compensation claim.
At KCNS Law Group, we understand the details and requirements of workers’ compensation claims thanks to our decades of experience. Seeing a doctor after your injury significantly affects your case and what your workers’ compensation will cover. We understand this process can be complex, so we are here to help you with your case every step of the way.
If you have been injured at work, it’s important to report the incident to your employer as soon as you can so they have a record of the injury. After reporting the accident, you might wonder if your injury requires medical attention. If you decide not to see a doctor after your injury, it could affect your claim in the following ways:
You may not realize the severity of your injuries until you seek medical attention. It’s quite common for certain injuries to not present until some time passes, and seeing a doctor right after getting injured will only help prevent any future issues.
Seeing a doctor can also help you better understand the extent of your injuries and what types of treatment you need to recover. This will help with your claim and potential recoverable losses. If you choose not to see a doctor, you may not fully understand the scope of your injuries and what treatment will look like.
If you don’t see a doctor after your workplace injury, you may risk being denied your right to full workers’ compensation. According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, employers are required by law to pay for workers’ compensation benefits, which include medical care, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, supplemental job displacement benefits, and death benefits.
If you avoid seeing a doctor after a workplace injury, your employer’s insurance company could argue the cause of your injury and deny your right to workers’ compensation benefits. The sooner you see a doctor after your injury, the sooner you can claim your benefits.
Seeing a doctor after a workplace accident will help you understand whether or not you can continue to work with your injury. Therefore, seeking medical attention can assist you in determining if you are eligible to collect workers’ comp benefits.
Medical information from your doctor can also help your attorney with your case. Your lawyer can look through your diagnosis and other medical paperwork to see if you qualify to earn benefits. Not seeing a doctor will make this process more difficult and the path forward less clear.
We understand that seeing a doctor and getting medical treatment can be expensive. However, if you sustained injuries from a workplace accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which can cover your medical bills. If you don’t see a doctor, you could risk paying more for your medical expenses out of pocket instead of your employer covering them for you.
The aftermath of a workplace injury can be difficult. Filing a report and deciding whether or not to seek medical attention might be challenging to handle. Seeing a doctor as soon as you can after your accident can impact your claim and the benefits you can earn.
Our knowledgeable legal team at KCNS Law Group has decades of experience to help you understand the importance of seeing a doctor after your workplace injury and guide you through the legal process so you can focus on recovery. To schedule a free consultation, you can call us at (818) 937-9255 or fill out our contact form.