Work Injury Notes: How To Make A Journal Work For You

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It's easy for hurt workers to assume that the workers' compensation insurer will cover certain costs after a work injury. However, many workers are shocked to find out that their claim was turned down. Some get their claims approved and begin their receiving their benefits but have problems later with the claims process. You can head off any potential problems and protect your rights to compensation by keeping a workers' compensation journal.

How Can a Journal Benefit You?

Some hurt workers are fortunate. They get hurt, get their claims approved, get better, and are cleared to return to work in no time. That is not the case with many hurt workers. They may be facing a prolonged fight to be paid what they deserve that can go on for months. One great reason for writing things down is it serves as a memory aid. However, a journal can be used in several workers' compensation situations, such as these:

• Your injury is not healing as expected. If you cannot return to work because of your injury, you may run into issues when the workers' compensation insurer disagrees with you. Using a journal provides you with evidence that you are not exaggerating your pain. Your notes can show that you deal with pain in your everyday life.
• You may be told that your injury is not permanent. You, however, know that you cannot go back to your job because of the injury. If the workers' comp insurer disagrees with you, you must be ready to show that your injury is not getting better. If you are ordered to attend mediation, which is common, you can rely on your journal entries to show that you are dealing with a permanent injury and deserve a lump-sum settlement.
• You are being told to attend an independent medical examination (IME). This exam can determine your future and is very important. You will be asked about your injury and your treatment. Using your journal allows you to review everything from the time of the accident to the present. You can accurately speak about your injuries, pain levels, disabilities, and more.

Speak to a Workers' Compensation Lawyer

The final reason for keeping a journal is that when you need legal help, you have a written record of your accident and treatment to show the lawyer. You can point out when you spoke to the insurers and what they said, what the doctor told you about your injury, and more. A journal helps your lawyer form a case faster using more accurate information. To learn more, speak to a workers' compensation lawyer.

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12 October 2022