When you experience an injury at work in California, you probably have a lot to figure out. You may need supplemental income. You could require ongoing medical treatment.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim may not feel like a priority, but procrastinating could have costly consequences.
Statute of limitations
Arguably the most important reason to file a timely claim is because of the statute of limitations. According to the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, most employers require you to submit a claim within 30 days of your injury. Failing to meet this requirement could jeopardize your benefits indefinitely.
If you experienced a severe or life-threatening injury, you might not have the aptitude to file a claim immediately. However, do your best to document your experience, even if you rely on someone else to record it. Think carefully about the date and time of the incident, as well as who may have seen or responded immediately after. As soon as you can, notify your employer of the situation and its impact on your ability to work.
Memory maintenance
Another important reason to report your claim immediately is to help with accuracy. Dealing with the ramifications of your injury might leave you feeling exhausted and frustrated. Your recovery might interfere with your energy and alertness. Recording your experience and submitting a claim as soon as you can reduce the risks that you forget critical details.
Finalizing your claim could take a couple of tries. Having someone you trust to verify that you have filled out the paperwork correctly may prevent discrepancies. Filing your claim on time will give you the highest possible chance at a satisfactory outcome.
