In Virginia, employees who are injured on the job are entitled to file for workers' compensation, even if their employer pressures them not to.
The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission and workers' compensation insurance system exist so that injured employees have a standardized method of receiving medical care and financial support after being hurt on the job.
If you are hurt and your employer wants you to skip filing a workers' compensation claim, it is a red flag. Be skeptical of their intentions and make sure to protect yourself.
What if My Employer Says It Will Be Easier if I Skip Workers' Compensation and Just Let Them Pay?
At Ackerman & Falcon, we know that employers who try to entice or pressure their employees out of the workers' compensation insurance system and into informal agreements are looking out for themselves, not their injured employee.
Virginia's workers' compensation system is complex, and it does take time. An employer's offer to pay for the treatment of your injury, whether directly or off the books, may seem helpful. Unfortunately, the decision to skip the workers' compensation system can have long-term adverse consequences for injured employees.
Initially, a workplace injury may seem minor or manageable; however, conditions may worsen. In many cases, it is impossible to know immediately following an accident the extent of the damage, the treatment plan, or long-term prognosis.
Additionally, Virginia's workers' compensation system has strict protocols and deadlines. Failure to seek care in a timely and appropriate manner, or to meet filing deadlines, can lead to claim denial.
Importantly, Virginia's workers' compensation insurance system was created as the primary mechanism through which injured employees receive the medical benefits, financial support, and compensation they need after a workplace injury. Lawsuits against employers for workplace injuries are allowed only in narrow circumstances.
At Ackerman & Falcon, You Are Our Priority
If you are being pressured not to file a workers' compensation claim, your employer is trying to protect itself, not you.
At Ackerman & Falcon, we are committed to you. We can review your employer's actions and help you develop a comprehensive workers' compensation strategy to protect yourself and your claim.
To discuss your case, call Ackerman & Falcon at 703-288-1400 or schedule a free consultation online.
