
Being injured on the job is never a fun experience. Not only do you have to deal with the pain of the injury itself, but you also have to navigate the often-complex world of workers’ compensation. And if your employer is less than supportive, that process can be even more difficult.
Unfortunately, some employers will go to great lengths to discourage their employees from reporting work injuries. They may do this for various reasons, including saving money on premiums or avoiding bad publicity. Whatever the reason, injured workers need to be aware of the tactics that employers might use to discourage injured workers from reporting workplace injuries. Here are some common tactics employers use:
Bureaucracy
One common tactic employers use to discourage injured workers from filing claims is complicating the bureaucracy involved in the process. They may require employees to get multiple signatures or jump through hoops to file a claim. In other cases, they may institute new policies that make it more difficult for employees to take time off for doctor’s appointments or physical therapy. All of this can be very frustrating and discouraging for an injured worker already dealing with a lot.
Delays
Another tactic that employers might use is intentional delays. For example, they may drag their feet when it comes to approving time off for doctor’s appointments or filling out the required paperwork. In some cases, they may even try to delay payments of benefits until the employee is desperate enough to give up and return to work before they’ve fully recovered.
Demotion in Disguise
In some cases, an employer may assign injured workers less-paying responsibilities or tasks that are beneath the positions. This can be very demoralizing. And can make it hard for the employee to see a future at the company. As a result, they may decide it’s not worth reporting an injury or pushing too hard when pursuing a workers’ comp claim.
Unreasonable Return-To-Work Policies
Lastly, some employers institute unreasonable return-to-work policies that make it difficult for injured workers to transition back into their jobs. For example, they may require employees recovering from an injury to return to work before they’re physically able or reduce their hours so significantly that it’s not worth returning. This can put a lot of financial strain on injured workers and their families and make it very difficult for injured workers to report work injuries or pursue workers’ comp claims.
These are just a few tactics employers might use to discourage employees from filing workers’ comp claims. If you’ve been injured on the job, don’t let your employer intimidate you into not reporting the injuries or filing a claim. And if you are experiencing workplace retaliation due to reporting a work-related injury, get in touch with an experienced work injury lawyer.
Speak With an Experienced Work Injury Lawyer
Have you been injured on the job? The Law Office of James. M. Hoffman is here to support you through every step of the process. We understand that this may be a difficult time for you and want to ensure you receive the care and benefits to which you are entitled. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help. Call (314) 361-4300 for a free case evaluation with an experienced St. Louis work injury lawyer.