Nobody wants to be labeled as a “problem” at work, so often workers let small, nagging injuries go without any medical attention or any report of the injury to superiors. This can become a problem.
Let’s dispel the myth that you would be labeled as a “problem” employee if you report your injury. Connecticut state law prohibits employers from retaliating against any employee who files a workers’ compensation claim. While many think of retaliation as being fired it can come in many forms like harassment or demotion. If these things happen to you, you may have a separate action to take against your employer.
If you’re injured on the job your health and well being should be your main concern. There are laws that protect your job and your sanity while at work. These three reasons are why you should immediately report your injury.
- Your health is of urgent importance. The sooner you report your injury, the sooner you can get seen by a medical professional and the sooner you can recover. This will allow you to get back to work quickly.
- Waiting to report an injury leaves a window open for your employer to argue to the Workers’ Compensation Commission that the injury, because it was not reported immediately, was caused by some other activity that was not work related and therefore they should not be required to cover it.
- A nagging injury could affect your work performance. This could lead to poor performance reviews which will not recognize that your job performance has suffered due to an injury you had on the job.
While you may be hesitant to file your claim and report your injury, it is the best course of action. Waiting on your claim could have adverse effects on your health, your job performance, and potentially on your Connecticut workers’ compensation claim.
If you or a loved one were injured on the job, our board certified workers’ compensation attorneys can help you with your claim. Contact us immediately.
