Every year, thousands of Californians suffer injuries while at work.
Most of these injuries go unreported because employees downplay them or don’t notify their employer out of fear of being fired.
This can be a huge mistake.
There are several reasons it’s important you take all injuries sustained at work seriously. They can affect your job and general wellbeing for years.
Even small injuries can lead to major financial impact
Injuries at work, even minor ones, must be properly cared for.
They can force occupation changes, hinder job performance and slow production.
Sometimes, the severity of an injury can be misleading or the pain you feel doesn’t accurately reflect the damage that has taken place.
You may feel pressure from your employer to work through pain. If you don’t miss any work, that may include encouraging you to forgo filing a workers’ compensation claim.
If you do miss work, employers may pressure you into coming back before you feel completely ready. Only work when you feel your injury has healed and you get the go-ahead from your doctor.
It’s always better to prevent major injuries than treat them.
Reporting any injuries when they happen is important. There may be unforeseen consequences down the road which permanently affect your ability to work.
Don’t take a chance on an injury getting worse or creating problems for you in the future. Some injuries can be cumulative, and create more problems the longer they go untreated.
Injuries you suffer now can lead to being unable to work your same position later. If you develop a chronic injury this means you could lose your job or downgrade to a lower position.
Don’t let this happen.
Don’t rely on a self-diagnosis
You may think that your shoulder tightness after a long day of work is simply soreness. Or you may know that your wrist always hurts on Fridays.
It’s still worth getting minor injuries examined. You never know what the injury stems from, and sometimes the cure is simple.
Minor injuries may seem like no big deal but they can be indications of larger problems.
If you have been injured at work and are hesitant to bring it to your employer’s attention, an attorney specializing in personal injury law can help you navigate the situation.
