When you get injured on the job in California, it is important to make all of the proper reports. You may be eligible for workers’ compensation, but you need to tell your employer about the accident or injury.
Under California law, you must do this within 30 days in many cases. If you do not, then you may not be able to seek benefits, even though you otherwise would have had a valid claim. But some recommend reporting the incident to your employer as soon as possible and not waiting until anywhere near the 30-day deadline. Below are two reasons why this can be beneficial.
It shows that the injury happened at work
To start with, a delay in reporting may make your employer start asking questions about how you got injured. If you come to work with a back injury and you say that you hurt your back on the job last week, that may be true, but your employer may think that you actually got injured at home and you’re now just trying to use it as an excuse to get workers’ comp benefits. A prompt report immediately after the event avoids this issue.
It is easier to obtain the medical care you need
Additionally, if the injury is serious, you need prompt medical care. This can be very important for your overall recovery and your return to work. It also means that you’ll work with a doctor and have medical records, so there will be documentation about the injury you suffered, the exact costs you are facing, how long the doctors believe it will take you to recover and much more.
Seeking workers’ comp benefits can get complicated, so take the time to carefully consider all of the necessary legal steps. If your claim is denied, seeking legal guidance would be wisest.
