Three Reasons You Shouldn’t Go Back to Work Too Soon after a Personal Injury
After sustaining a personal injury, getting back to normal takes a lot of time. This is the reason a lot of sufferers force themselves to jump back into regular life even if they are not ready. However, this can affect one’s healing and personal injury claim. If you suffered an injury because of someone else’s fault and you filed a personal injury claim, you need to know how to protect your claim. Also, you need to consult one of the best Cedar Rapids injury lawyers to understand your rights and how to protect them. Returning to work too soon after a personal injury may hurt your claim because of the following reasons:
Insurance Companies Will Scrutinize Whatever You Do
Typically, when you are injured because of another person’s fault, your claim is taken over by their insurance company. Unfortunately, insurance companies will try to avoid paying out claims or reducing the payouts the claimants get. After an injury, these companies will scrutinize everything you do. They will be looking for evidence to challenge your injury claim. They will use this evidence to either reduce what they will pay or deny a settlement completely.
You Need to Mitigate Your Damage
Even if you sustained injuries because of the intentional or negligent actions of another person, you still have a duty to reduce or mitigate your damages. This means that you need to take certain steps to reduce the impacts and losses related to your injuries. Failing to mitigate your damages can give the defendant a reason to reduce the damages they should pay to you. And by going back to work earlier than what your doctor recommends, you put your health at risk of further injuries. This would show your failure to mitigate your damage.
You May Experience Long-Term and Financial Effects
When you first return to work, you may feel fine and healthy. But, as you push yourself every day, you could be exacerbating your current injuries or hinder the healing process. The long-term health issues you cause by going back to work too soon could take you out of the workforce earlier than you expect. When you go back to work and you suddenly top making progress on your recovery, the insurance provider will ask a lot of questions.
Surely, it is difficult to be off of work and not know your upcoming financial obligations will be taken care of. But, you need to follow your doctor’s advice and find a reliable attorney you can trust. Your lawyer will help you navigate these difficult times and fight for your full and fair settlement.