In 2017, Texas private industry employees reported 183,396 workplace injuries. That’s 2.2 claims for every 100 workers. 

When an employee gets injured, the priority should be to get medical assistance. Once the situation is under control, the next vital step is to document the incident. 

Many employees overlook this step or give it very little attention. This is a huge mistake, though.

Keep reading to learn why it is so important to document your injuries in a workers’ comp claim.  

Pinpoints the Origin of the Workers’ Comp Claim 

Some injuries are from a single event, but many are not. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of repeated events over a long period of time. 

As the employee, you need to document when your wrists first start to become uncomfortable. They may not be affecting your work at this point. 

The goal is to give a comprehensive view of the injury. By showing when your wrist first started hurting you can make a stronger correlation between your injury and your work. 

Gives Your Claim Consistency 

One of the main reasons claims get denied is because of a lack of consistency. This happens when the documentation you provide doesn’t match each other. 

This happens when the company paperwork has one set of date and facts, the doctor’s office has another, and the employee’s account has yet another. 

If you know from the start that consistency is essential, you can work to ensure that everything is documented correctly from the beginning. 

Get Medical Care Quicker 

When you have well-documented injuries, you can get covered treatment to the right medical professionals. That way your specific injuries get treated as quickly as possible. 

This will get you healed and back to work sooner. 

Disprove Pre-Existing Injury Claim 

Some employers will try to claim that the injury was pre-existing. If they are successful with this claim, then your injuries are not covered. 

The better you document your injuries, the easier it is to disprove this claim. That way you get the full value of your claim for your injuries. 

Retain Your Legal Rights 

If you don’t make your workers’ compensation claim to your employer in writing, you risk forfeiting your legal rights. This means you cannot file a claim in court if your employer refuses to pay. 

This written claim is the official documentation that puts your employer on notice that you are injured. Now your employer is required to act and follow the law. Without this notice, your employer can claim you never told them about your injury. 

Protect Your Claim  

When it comes to making a workers’ comp claim, it is vital to take control of your claim from the start by documenting your injuries. It is essential to include every detail possible to have the most accurate record possible. 

If you wait until after the fact, it could be weeks or months later. Your memory for the specific details will not be accurate. This lack of accuracy and detail can potentially kill your claim. 

Contact our office today if you are facing a workers’ compensation claim and need legal representation.