Once an employee notifies their employer of a job-related injury, the employer must initiate a claim with their workers’ compensation insurer. If your employer fails to make their report, you may be at risk of losing the benefits you need to pay for your medical treatment and other expenses. Unfortunately, some employers refuse or “forget” to make a report to avoid seeing their insurance premiums go up.
If you find yourself facing this situation, you should seek legal representation immediately. The legal team at Ryan, Busher, Ryan & Simons is standing by to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer. Read on to learn more.
When and How to Report a Workplace Injury to Your Employer
If you are injured at work, you should report the incident to your supervisor or human resources department as soon as possible. If you fail to make your report within 30 days after your injury or within 30 days after separation from employment due to a “cumulative trauma injury,” you may be disqualified from receiving workers’ compensation.
Ideally, your notice should be given in writing. Include the date of the incident, as well as a description. If possible, have your employer sign the notice and keep a copy as evidence that you made your report on time.
What Happens If an Employer Does Not Report Your Injury in a Timely Manner?
Once you report a workplace injury to your employer, they have a legal duty to notify their workers’ compensation insurance carrier or third-party administrator. Specifically, they must notify their insurer and the Workers’ Compensation Commission “within 10 days of notice that an employee has suffered an accidental injury which results in lost time beyond the shift, or requires medical attention away from the work site, fatal or otherwise.” If an employer fails or refuses to make their report, they may be fined up to $1,000. The report can be made using this form.
What Should I Do If My Employer Does Not Report My Injury?
If your employer fails to notify their insurance provider of your workplace injury, they may put your workers’ compensation benefits at risk. Whether they simply forgot to make their report or are intentionally obstructing your claim to avoid raising their insurance premiums, you should take immediate action.
Your first step should be to inquire with your employer. Ask whether they have made their report. If they have not, ask why. If they refuse to make the report after your inquiry, you should seek legal help by consulting with an attorney with experience in workers’ compensation matters.
At Ryan, Bisher, Ryan & Simons, we offer free initial consultations. Therefore, there is little downside to having one of our attorneys review your case sooner than later. We are ready to make sure you know your rights and are not taken advantage of by an unscrupulous employer eager to see your claim denied.
Injured at Work? Call Our Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Now
The legal team at Ryan, Bisher, Ryan & Simons has decades of combined experience helping injury victims fight for the full and fair compensation they deserve. If you believe your employer is wrongly refusing to report your workplace injury or otherwise obstructing your workers’ compensation claim, we are ready to help you too. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced attorney in Oklahoma City.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
