5 Reasons Why People Don’t Report Their Work Injury in Minnesota

Nobody wants to be injured at work, but the fact of the matter is that a workplace injury can happen to anyone, and you are legally entitled to compensation for your injury. However, many people decide not to file a claim for one reason or another, and that can be problematic for a number of reasons. Today, we share five common reasons we hear from people about why they didn’t file for workers’ compensation, and why that can be problematic.

“Not That Injured”

One of the most common reasons why people don’t report their work injury to their employer is because their injury isn’t that bad. It may be painful, but many people would rather push through the pain and keep working and receiving their paycheck than take time off while filing a claim. However, let’s say the injury eventually needs surgery. If it’s been six months or a year since the initial injury, it’s going to be nearly impossible to prove that the damage occurred at work and that you should be eligible to have the upcoming medical expenses covered. Document even small injuries to your employer.

Fear of Repercussion

This is another common reason why people don’t report their injury. People feel like their boss or the company will punish them for suffering a work injury and likely costing the company extra money in the form of insurance premium increases, costs to train a replacement, etc. However, it is illegal for your employer to demote or fire you because you filed for workers’ compensation. If you can prove this has happened, you will have legal ground to bring a suit against your employer.

Confused By The Work Comp System

Most people haven’t filed for workers’ compensation before, so they are confused about how the process works when they need to put in a claim. Many people think the system is going to be a headache, so they’d rather just push through the injury and not deal with a bunch of forms and deadlines. The process can be complicated at times, but that’s what work comp attorneys are here for. We can file all the paperwork and let you focus on recovering.

Don’t Have Health Insurance

Some people don’t have health insurance and can’t afford to pay for medical treatment out of pocket, so they remain hush about the injury. However, hospitals can bill your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company for the medical expenses because you are legally protected as an employee. A workers’ compensation attorney can help explain how medical bills are handled when you are injured on the job during your initial consultation. Don’t let this misconception keep you from getting the benefits you deserve!

The Stigma

Many Minnesotans pride themselves on their hardworking attitudes, and some people who call into the office are hesitant to file because they don’t want to be “that person” who is getting paid not to work. You need to remember that you’re not “getting paid not to work,” but that you’re getting paid because you suffered an injury on the job. Nobody should feel ashamed or embarrassed about filing for workers’ compensation. Accidents happened, and you have rights as an employee.