Workplace accidents can be life-altering, leaving victims with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. In Connecticut, workers are generally entitled to compensation for on-the-job injuries, but ensuring you receive the benefits you deserve requires taking the right steps—and avoiding common mistakes. Below, we discuss the top five mistakes employees make after a workplace injury and provide actionable advice to protect your rights.

1. Failing to Report the Incident Promptly

One of the most common and costly mistakes workers make is failing to report their injury to their employer immediately. Delays in reporting can raise doubts about the legitimacy of your claim and give employers or insurers an excuse to deny your benefits.

What You Should Do:
Report the incident to your supervisor or employer as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours. Connecticut law typically requires you for statute of limitations purposes to notify your employer within one year of the incident for workers’ compensation claims but requires the employee to report it immediately to the employer or risk the claim being denied. Document the date, time, and details of the accident in writing and keep a copy for your records. Also detail from head to toe all pain and injuries you sustained during the incident.

2. Not Seeking Medical Attention Right Away

Some workers downplay their injuries or assume they’ll heal on their own. This can be a major mistake, as untreated injuries may worsen over time, and a lack of medical record documentation of your injuries or early treatment can undermine your claim.

What You Should Do:
See a healthcare provider immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. I cannot tell you how many times in my 27-year career as an injury attorney, I have seen those who thought they had a minor injury end up having something much more severe that required surgery and other more involved medical procedures. Your medical records will serve as critical evidence of your injury. Inform the doctor that the injury occurred at work and follow all recommended treatments. Failure to follow medical advice can also be used against you in a claim.

3. Assuming Your Employer Will Handle Everything

Many injured workers believe their employer will automatically take care of their workers’ compensation claim. Unfortunately, employers or their insurers may prioritize minimizing payouts over protecting your rights.

What You Should Do:
Take a proactive approach to your claim. Submit your injury report orally and in writing, request a copy for your records, and hire an attorney immediately before you unwittingly make a major mistake on your case that can damage the case irreparably.

4. Failing to Document the Accident

Without proper documentation, proving your claim can become challenging. Many workers fail to gather evidence after the accident, assuming that verbal accounts will suffice.

What You Should Do:
Document everything related to the accident and your injury. Take photos or videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any equipment or conditions that contributed to the incident. Collect contact information from witnesses who can corroborate your account. Maintain records on time missed from work due to the injury.

5. Not Seeking Legal Advice

Navigating Connecticut’s workers’ compensation system can be complicated, and mistakes in the claims process can result in delays or denials. Many workers miss out on full compensation because they fail to consult an attorney. For instance, if one fails to file a Form 30C within 1 year of the incident their case can be permanently barred from being pursued. Or if the employer issues a Form 36 and you do not object to it and request a hearing within 10 days the Judge automatically grants the employer’s Form 36 discontinuing benefits. The takeaway from this discussion is to hire an attorney early on after the incident, not after you have unwittingly messed up your case since you do not know the ins and outs of the law. The fees are on a contingency basis not an hourly basis or up front retainer fee.

What You Should Do:
Speak with an experienced workplace accident attorney such as Tavis Tindall of Tindall Law Firm in Waterbury, CT as soon as possible. He has 27 years of experience handling these claims. A lawyer can help you understand your rights, file your claim correctly, and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation. Tindall Law Firm can also help if your claim is denied or if your employer retaliates against you for filing.

Sampling of Successful Case Resolutions

Protecting Your Rights After a Workplace Accident

Connecticut workers are entitled to a safe work environment, and when accidents occur, the law provides protections to help injured employees recover. By avoiding these five common mistakes and taking the appropriate steps, you can safeguard your rights and maximize your compensation.

If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, don’t navigate the claims process alone. Contact an experienced Connecticut workplace accident attorney to discuss your case and learn how they can help you secure the benefits you deserve. Taking action today can make all the difference for your future.