Getting hurt at work may interfere with your ability to do your job at least temporarily. In serious cases, work-related accidents could result in permanent disability.
While you may feel that evidence is on your side, failing to report your injury in a timely manner can jeopardize your chances of collecting workers’ compensation benefits.
Statute of limitations
By law, you only have so much time to disclose your situation to your employer. According to the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, this period of time spans 30 days. This means as soon as you have received adequate medical care, you should promptly report your accident to your employer.
Sometimes you may develop an injury or illness because of recurring stress, job site hazards or a dysfunctional workspace. In this case, you have 30 days from the time your doctor identifies your injury as work-related to issue a report.
Goals for the future
Your injury may leave you uncertain of your future. Having to stop working could complicate your financial situation and affect your personal relationships. Reporting your injury in a timely manner can help you identify your next steps. You can work with your medical team to determine a probable recovery timeline so you can begin setting personal goals. A timely report can also get the ball rolling on financial support so you can prevent the repercussions of not working.
If you need assistance with writing an injury claim, an attorney can help you. If your employer denies your claim, an attorney may also have the resources to help you identify other alternatives.
