Many people are aware that you should do certain things after sustaining an injury on the job; for example, the employee needs to report what happened to HR or their manager as soon as possible. However, it is important to keep in mind that there are certain things that employees should not do after sustaining a workplace-related injury.
Here are a couple of things not to do after becoming injured at your California workplace.
Fail to realize there are exceptions
Workers’ compensation covers many injuries and illnesses caused by something in the workplace. For example, workers’ comp would likely cover medical bills resulting from a slip and fall accident in an office’s hallway if the hallway floor was slippery or cluttered.
However, there are a few exceptions to what workers’ compensation will cover. For instance, workers’ comp generally does not cover injuries occurring while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It also may not cover someone who becomes injured as a result of not following required workplace safety procedures.
Fail to provide all details
Becoming injured is stressful, and it can be easy to forget to give employers all the details surrounding an injury. However, it is necessary to let the place of employment know details such as whether there was another person involved in the accident. Also, be sure to note all new symptoms, even if those symptoms do not seem directly related to the injury.
It is important for people to know what not to do after a workplace injury in order to manage expectations and receive the compensation they deserve.