Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation

It is illegal to fire someone for filing a workers’ compensation claim. That being said, some companies fire employees after they file a claim, citing performance issues that are suspiciously timed or have never been a problem in the past.

Ideally, you should call an attorney right away, before giving official/recorded statements or doing anything else that could limit your benefits.

You need to report your injury as soon as it occurs. If in doubt about whether you are truly injured, you should still report it just to be safe.

Your employer should be offering you a panel of three physicians to choose from. If it is a serious accident, you may need to go to the emergency room immediately. After being released from the ER, you should then be given a choice of physicians.

Do not sign documents without having a lawyer look at them first. Don’t agree to give any recorded statements before consulting with your attorney. And avoid using phrases such as “I’m fine” or “I’ll be ok.” You may not know the extent of your injuries until checked by a physician.

No, because they don’t represent your interests. You should only talk to your direct employer and your attorney. You should even limit communication with your employer, because questions that seem like genuine concern could actually be liability questions.