Don’t Shoot Yourself in the Foot: What Not to Say to Workers Comp Doctor

Have you been injured on the job?

If it’s any consolation, you’re not alone. Every year, over 2 million workers sustain injuries on the job.

A workplace injury can leave you in severe pain and even push you into physical disability. This is why the first thing to do after sustain a work injury is to get treatment.

But did you know a workers’ comp doctor will play an important role in your compensation? You need to be careful about what you tell them; otherwise, you might shoot yourself in the foot.

In this article, we’re sharing what not to say to a workers comp doctor.

But first off:

Why a Workers Comp Doctor Matters in Your Case

If you’ve never sustained a workplace injury and gone through the compensation process, you might not know the role a workers comp doctor plays in your case.

Although how workplaces injuries are handled varies from employer to employer, most require victims to get treatment from an insurer-appointed workers comp doctor. This way, the doctor is able to make a health report that the insurance company will use to determine the victim’s compensation.

In most states, though, injured workers have a legal right to get treatment from a doctor of their choice.

Now that you know how a doctor can affect your claim, let’s focus on what not to say to a workers comp doctor.

Do Not Lie

When you’re injured at work, you’re also well aware that you’re legally entitled to receive adequate monetary compensation for your pain and losses. Unfortunately, it’s this awareness that leads some victims to tell lies, possibly because they want to receive more money in compensation. Don’t be like these workers.

Always be truthful to your worker’s comp doctor. Be truthful about how you’re feeling, as well as your symptoms. Do not leave out information about your past injuries.

If you lie about your health, the doctor will likely figure out you’re lying. Bear in mind that they will write a report and send it to your employer and their insurance company. The insurer can use your lies as justification to reject or lower your compensation.

Don’t Speak Ill of Your Employer

If you sustained an injury because of your employer’s negligence, it’s only normal to harbor some resentment towards them. Perhaps you fell down the staircase, which the employer has failed to repair for a long time.

However, when you’re on the worker’s comp doctor’s table, don’t speak ill of your employer. In most cases, the doctor won’t even ask you about your employer, so you’ve no reason to mention them.

If the doctor asks you how you sustained the injury, just say you fell down a broken staircase. Don’t say you fell down a broken staircase that your employer has failed to repair.

If you disparage the employer, the doc might include what you said in the report, which will eventually get to the employer. This can create a bad work relationship between you and the employer.

You Know What Not to Say to a Workers Comp Doctor

After sustaining a workplace injury and getting treatment, your worker’s comp doctor will write a report and forward it to the employer and insurance company. You want the report to vouch for you. With this guide on what not to say to a workers comp doctor, you now know how to be on the safe side.

Keep reading our blog for more workplace health and safety tips.