If you were injured during your employment, chances are you would apply for workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp can pay for your medical treatment and also the wages you lose when you are not working. It works as a safety pin for employees who otherwise cannot afford healthcare. However, obtaining workers’ comp money is not that easy.
You need to pass many steps before getting your hands on the compensation, one of which is dealing with your workers’ comp doctor. You must avoid saying the wrong during your medical examination as it can significantly affect your case. If you were wrongfully denied compensation, consult with a Virginia workers’ compensation lawyer today.
What not to say to your workers’ compensation doctor
- Exaggerating your injuries.
Remember that workers’ comp doctors are highly-skilled and trained individuals who can spot exaggerated and false claims when they see one. If you lie about your symptoms in the hope of increasing your compensation, chances are your dishonesty will come to light. It increases the risk of losing credibility and insurance benefits. Therefore, be honest about your symptoms and injuries.
- Lying about symptoms that you do not even have.
Just like exaggerating your current injuries has negative consequences, so does making up symptoms and injuries that are not even there. Doctors conduct various tests, some of which examine your response to pain or no response at all. If you lie, a skilled doctor can know it is made-up. You must explain your injuries and the symptoms you feel as precisely as possible to avoid losing credibility.
- Bad-mouthing your employer.
You may have hostile feelings towards your employer after your injury, but you should try keeping a positive attitude, at least in front of others. The opinions of a workers’ comp doctor are valuable when it comes to compensation, and so your goal is to keep the doctor on your side. Speaking negatively about your employer can give a bad impression.
- Not informing the doctor about prior injuries.
Many people believe that insurance companies will reduce their compensation or reject their claim upon learning about their prior injuries. However, this is a completely false myth. Just because the accident has not given birth to new injuries does not mean it cannot worsen the old ones. You should be prepared to explain the details regarding your prior injuries.
Saying the right things hold more power in legal cases than you may think. Likewise, making an incorrect statement can have your entire case crumbling down. Let an experienced attorney guide you and handle your case while you deal with your injuries.
