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Workplace Injuries: What If No One Saw Your Accident?

In many cases, when a workplace injury occurs there is typically another person nearby who witnesses the accident. At the very least, someone may be close enough to provide assistance immediately afterward even if they did not see the accident happen. However, there are times when an employee gets hurt at work and no one is there to witness it. You may wonder if you will be eligible for worker's compensation benefits if no one saw you get hurt. Here are some things you need to know:

What Is Your First Step?

When you are hurt on the job and no one witnessed the accident, your first step is to report the accident and subsequent injury to your employer. You need to do this immediately. Your human resources department will document the injury and may set you up with a doctor's appointment to have your injury evaluated. If you are not provided a doctor's appointment through your workplace, you should schedule your own appointment. If your worker's compensation is approved, you can be reimbursed for your medical expenses.

How Can You Increase Your Chances of an Approval?

When you provide a report of your accident and injury, you need to be extremely detailed. You need to provide information about the conditions of the area in which you were working at the time. For example, if you were working in a cold climate and there was a water leak somewhere, be sure to note that if your accident was attributed to a slip and fall. You also should be able to provide a time of the accident, or as close as you can remember. You should provide a moment-by-moment account of what led to the accident, how the accident happened, and what you experienced immediately afterward.

What Should You Do When You See the Doctor?

When you are talking to your doctor about your injury, be completely thorough and honest. However, do not exaggerate. If your doctor does not have faith that your injuries occurred in the way you say, that does not bode well for your worker's compensation claim.

Are Claims Denied if No One Corroborates Your Accident?

Sometimes worker's compensation claims may be denied initially. This is not always the case, but it can happen. Fortunately, you have the chance to appeal a denial. As long as you can accurately provide the accurate facts and details, chances are you can win your claim. It does not hurt to hire a worker's compensation attorney if you are denied. An attorney can walk you through and assist you with the process of completing your claim.


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