You need to know that time is not on your side following a workplace accident. As much as you may downplay your injuries or are afraid you will ruin the close relationship you have with your boss, delaying to take action may come back to haunt you.
Your claim could be dismissed, leaving you to bear the cost of your injuries alone. If you have been injured in the line of duty, here is what you need to know regarding the timelines.
Here are the timelines to observe
Under California law, you have 30 days to inform your employer of a workplace accident where you suffered injuries. Failure to observe the 30-day window without valid reasons could put your claim at risk. Additionally, after you inform your employer within the specified period, you have one year from the date of your injury to claim workers’ compensation benefits.
Importantly, this time starts running from the date of the accident apart from occupational diseases or cumulative injuries. If your injury is related to an occupational disease or cumulative condition, the clock starts ticking when you either first learn about your condition or should have reasonably known about it.
Protecting your legal rights
Remember, you have a right to workers’ compensation benefits if you were hurt on the job. Therefore, as soon as you get medical attention for your injuries from a workplace accident, you should swing into action.
Navigating your case requires proper medical documentation of your injuries and the necessary information you need to counter any challenges. Keep in mind that your employer is not supposed to frustrate your efforts towards getting compensated for your injuries or retaliate against you for seeking benefits. If that is the case, you need to know the steps to take to protect your legal rights.
