What To Do if an Injury Prevents You From Working

Not being able to work for an extended period of time is rough. When an injury prevents you from working, you have to deal with pain and lost wages, which can be extremely stressful, especially if the injury wasn’t your fault. Despite being unable to work, your bills will keep showing up, expecting to be paid. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to protect your health and your finances while you recover. 

 

Here’s what you need to do.

 

  1. Talk to an attorney

 

The path to getting compensation for your injury could be complicated, so don’t wait to reach out to a personal injury lawyer to review your case. An attorney will realistically calculate your damages, including current and future financial losses, and will negotiate with insurance adjusters to get you a fair settlement. If that fails, they’ll be prepared to take your case to trial.

 

  1. Get medical treatment immediately

 

Seeking medical care is important for your health and wellbeing, but it’s also part of your legal strategy if you plan on pursuing financial compensation. Getting seen right away establishes the documentation connecting your injury to the accident. If you wait too long to see a doctor, your injuries could get worse, and it might be harder to prove they were caused by the accident. This can reduce or even eliminate your compensation, depending on other factors.

 

Once you see a doctor, it’s critical to follow your prescribed treatment plan to the letter and stick to your advised physical restrictions. Go to all your follow-up appointments and specialist referrals. Complete your physical therapy and take your medications as prescribed. The last thing you want is an insurance adjuster claiming that your lack of follow-through made your injury worse and using that to reduce your payout. 

 

  1. Notify your employer

 

Once you know your injury is going to impact your ability to work, let your employer know as soon as possible. Communication can prevent misunderstandings and might help you preserve your job. If your injury happened at work it’s even more critical to report it through the proper channels. 

 

If you’re going to request medical leave or take sick days, make sure you file your request according to company policy. If you qualify for leave under the FMLA, don’t let your employer deny your request unfairly. If they do reject your request, get their reason in writing and take it straight to a lawyer. 

 

  1. Track your financial losses

 

Missing work can create expenses that go beyond lost wages. Keep detailed financial records so your lawyer can accurately calculate your financial losses. This includes lost paychecks, medical expenses, travel costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury. 

 

  1. Follow your doctor’s work restrictions

 

It’s critical to respect the physical limitations your doctor gives you, even if you believe you feel fine. Not only can you re-injure yourself, but returning to normal work too early can get your compensation reduced. If the insurance company finds out, they’ll use that as a reason to reduce your payout. 

 

Give your body enough time to heal so you don’t experience major setbacks or lose out on compensation.

 

  1. Avoid mistakes that can hurt your claim

 

There are several mistakes that can hurt your ability to recover compensation. Avoid the following:

 

  •     Posting about your injury online. Stay off of social media. Insurance adjusters will scour your content looking for evidence that you’re either not injured or you’ve already recovered. They’ll use everything they can find to reduce your payout, even if it seems like an innocent comment or photo.

  •     Accepting the first settlement offer. The insurance company will offer you a low settlement right away to see if you’ll take it and disappear. Don’t accept any offers without consulting an attorney first.

  •     Waiting to speak with an attorney. Important evidence can disappear fast and legal deadlines aren’t forgiving. Speak with an attorney early to preserve your rights and avoid costly mistakes.

  •     Tossing out documentation. It’s easy to toss invoices and receipts for bills you’ve paid, but you’ll need them to calculate your financial losses.

  •     Returning to work too early. If you’re not supposed to be at work at all, don’t go back until you’re cleared by your doctor.

 

These common mistakes can hurt your personal injury case by making it hard to recover maximum compensation.

 

Protect your health and your future

 

Being injured and unable to work can be a significant disruption to your financial life, but with the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer, you can recover the compensation you deserve.