Can You Trust Your Boss To Tell You The Truth After An Injury?
Before you answer, let’s back up a bit.
There is a harsh truth about working in construction trades. Unless you are working for a family member or close friend, you are a tool to be used. Your value comes from being able to produce results on the job site so the builder can make a profit.
If you are hurt on-the-job and unable to work, you become a financial liability. Instead of producing profit, you risk producing cost in the form of workers’ compensation benefits, disability benefits or personal injury compensation.
So, can you trust your boss to tell you the truth after an injury?
Employers and insurance companies have incentive to do everything they can to reduce the amounts of benefits and compensation paid out after a workplace injury. After all, you don’t get rich by writing checks.
“Don’t worry about it. We have a doctor just for situations like this. He can look you over and make sure everything is taken care of.”
You may hear something like this from your boss after you report your injury. While it’s true that workers’ compensation insurance companies have specific doctors they prefer to work with, you are not required to rely solely on this doctor. You can see an outside doctor for treatment once 30 days have passed since your first treatment with the company doctor.
“Accidents happen. There’s no one to blame. We’ll take care of it.”
Again, your boss may say you’ll be taken care of but, make no mistake, there is often someone to blame when an injury takes place. Construction site injuries are common and many of them are the result of employer and coworker negligence. If you were harmed by the negligence of a third party, you can recover financial compensation through a personal injury claim.
“We don’t need to get the lawyers involved.”
You are not required to get a lawyer if you’ve been hurt at work, but it’s a good idea. Your employer’s insurance company or the insurer of the negligent party will be sure to have a lawyer. Shouldn’t you make sure there is someone looking out for you?
You may have a great boss that you trust very much. If so, that is great. But when push comes to shove, it is in your best interest to have someone looking out for your interests and only your interests.
Again, can you trust your boss to tell you the truth after an injury?
Maybe. But it never hurts to have a second set of eyes to make sure things are on the level.
