Don’t Delay Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim – It Could Cost You!
Timing is everything if you’ve been hurt on the job. As soon as you are injured – the clock starts ticking! The first thing you need to do is to tell your supervisor about the incident. Establishing that notice with management is crucial. The next thing you need to do is to fill out an 801 form, this is critical. There are stringent time frames and deadlines that govern work injury claims in Oregon; failing to immediately file your claim could result in you being barred from recovery and from receiving needed medical attention.
Once you have filled out the 801 form filing your claim, and your employer is aware of the incident, the next thing you need to do is to get medical attention. This is an absolute must, failing to seek medical attention immediately after an on-the-job injury can contribute to your claim for recovery being denied. Additionally, while it may not be immediately apparent, your injury could leave you with chronic problems and getting immediate medical attention could help with the healing process.
Once you are with the medical provider, it is very important to give a detailed and accurate description of not only how your injury occurred, but also a complete history of any prior injuries that could be relevant to your claim. This might include all similar types of injuries that you may have incurred in the past. Once a claim is filed, your employer is no longer in charge but rather a representative from the insurance company that provides the workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance representative will work to find holes in your story about how the on-the-job injury occurred and they will start with the story that you give to the medical provider. Be as accurate and as thorough as you can be with the medical provider so as not to give the insurance representative any ammunition against you.
The final step is to seek legal representation immediately. As soon as you are injured time is of the essence and strict timeframes are in play. It is important to take a proactive approach; aggressive representation, constant follow up, and timing are critical.
