After you’ve suffered a work-related injury, there are a number of important steps you can and should take to protect your health, your rights, and your workers’ compensation claim (I discuss a number of those steps here.)
For everything that you should do after a work injury, there are also a number of don’ts; things you could do either accidentally or intentionally that could have a negative impact on your New Mexico workers’ compensation benefits.
If you have suffered an on-the-job injury, keep these important “don’t’s” in mind in order to protect yourself and your family:
- DON’T let your employer or anyone else talk you out of filing a workers’ compensation claim. The New Mexico workers’ compensation system is there for your benefit, and your employer has legal obligations to provide you with benefits for your work-related injury. As discussed here, your employer may not discharge, threaten to discharge, or otherwise retaliate against you for seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Employers who engage in such conduct are not only subject to significant penalties, but retaliatory action can also be the basis for claims for damages.
- DON’T give recorded statements to your employer, its insurer or others without consulting with a workers’ compensation attorney first. Just like anything you say to the police after you’ve been arrested “can and will be used against you,” your statements could be used in efforts to deny your claim and deprive you of benefits.
- DON’T post statements or pictures on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, etc. about the accident or your injury or anything that could negatively impact your claim.
- DON’T sign any release, check containing release language, or any other document purporting to resolve or settle your claim without consulting with an attorney first. While all settlements have to be approved by a judge, neither the judge nor the adjuster are going to protect your interests and make sure that you are receiving the full value of your claim.
The Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Brown: Fighting for New Mexico Workers
We know how hard you work, and we’ll work just as hard for you. Call the Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Brown & Derek Thompson today at (505) 275-6600 or fill out our online form to arrange for your free initial consultation to discuss your workers’ compensation matter. We look forward to helping you get back on your feet, and back to work.
This website has been prepared by the Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Brown for informational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.