Why You Must Report "Minor" Injuries in the Workplace

 Posted on July 20, 2023 in Workers' Compensation

In the workplace, there is no such thing as an injury too minor to report. While workers may feel pressured to dismiss small cuts and other injuries not seen as serious enough to report, failing to report an injury when it happens can make it much harder to file a claim if the injury turns out to be less minor than you initially believed. Some injuries may initially look and feel like they are not serious only to later become a major medical issue. A small issue that turns serious may mean that you will need Workers’ Compensation to help you pay for treatment and compensate you for any time you must take off. People working in trades like construction or factory labor may feel pressure to be “tough” and disregard small injuries that are seen as a normal part of the job. However, reporting your injury as soon as it happens is the better course of action, as it preserves your claim should you need to file one. 

How Small Injuries Can Become a Big Problem

If you report a minor injury and it remains a minor injury that does not interfere with your work, you have lost nothing by reporting it. However, failing to report it can mean that you will not be able to receive Workers’ Compensation later if the injury does turn out to be more significant than you initially thought. It is important to report small injuries that can become problematic later, including: 

• Cuts - Cuts are a very common workplace injury for almost anyone. In most cases, these injuries will heal on their own if properly cleaned and bandaged. However, there is also a risk that a small cut can lead to a major infection. An infected cut can interfere with the use of the affected body part. Considering that hands are a very common location for cuts, a “minor” cut can severely impact your ability to do your work. 

• Muscle strains and pulls - Most people have experienced a pulled muscle at some point in their lives. In most cases, people experience short-term soreness and do not need to take time off from work. However, more serious injuries can initially be mistaken for a simple strained muscle. Torn muscles and ligament or tendon injuries can mimic the symptoms of minor strains. It may take several days or more for the extent of your injury to reveal itself. 

• Head injuries - A serious head injury may not show itself immediately. If you are hit on the head while working, it is better to report the injury and have it medically addressed. 

It is better to file a report right away so that there is a clear record of your injury happening at work. 

Contact a Will County Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC is experienced in helping injured workers recover the compensation they deserve. Our dedicated Will County Workers’ Compensation attorneys will do all we can to help ensure that your right to compensation for a workplace injury is protected. For a complimentary consultation, please call us at 815-727-0100. 

Source: 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325040