When struggling with an injury you got while working, you may be wondering what you can do. Should you see a medical professional? Should you file a workers’ compensation claim? The answer may seem relatively simple. Sure, if you injure yourself while working or while completing job-related activities, it is probably best to seek medical help and file a workers’ compensation claim. However, things become much more complicated when you would like to file a workers’ compensation claim after you have already quit your job.
What makes this more complicated?
There are several ways this becomes complicated.
- You could be perceived as vindictive
- Insurance could question whether you got your injuries after your job
- If you waited too long, you may be outside the statute of limitations for workers’ compensation benefits
So, if you have already left your job but are hoping to file workers’ compensation benefits, will you automatically get denied? Not necessarily. While an insurance company may be more suspicious of such a claim, that does not mean you cannot get the benefits you deserve. It will be especially helpful to work with a lawyer, like a workers’ compensation lawyer from a law office like Hurwitz, Whitcher & Molloy, LLP. You will need to work with your attorney to have support for your claim and show that the injury you sustained not only happened before you quit your job but happened while you were on the job. It will be helpful to provide things like:
- Evidence from former co-workers
- Medical records
- Video or surveillance footage from your former work
It is also important to remember that there will be a specific timeframe in which you can attempt to file for workers’ compensation benefits. While every state will have different time limits, they are often 30 days from when you became injured or from when you noticed your injury. When you are hoping to file a workers’ compensation claim after you quit, it is best to do so as quickly as possible. Remember, if you have the facts and evidence supporting your claim and an insurance company still tries to deny it, working with an attorney can help ease your worries. It is their job to go up against this challenge and work hard to get you the benefits you deserve after an injury at work.
Get help from your local attorney when you need to file a workers’ compensation claim after you have quit your job.