Fact Checked Your back is sore after lifting boxes all day. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, so you don’t mention it to your supervisor. A few months later, the pain is unbearable and you can barely walk. Now you need surgery, but there’s no record that you were ever injured at work. This scenario happens more often than you might think.
How minor injuries become major claims
Many serious work injuries don’t start with a dramatic accident. They begin as minor aches and pains that gradually get worse. A back strain from lifting can turn into a herniated disc. Shoulder soreness can become a rotator cuff tear. Knee discomfort can develop into a condition requiring joint replacement.
Because these injuries happen slowly, a minor “tweak” today might actually be the start of a career-ending injury. Without an initial injury report, insurance companies might argue that your condition developed outside of work. The burden of proof then falls on you to show the injury is work-related.
What happens when you don’t report
Failing to report an injury creates messy legal and financial obstacles. When you file a claim months after an incident, the employer or insurance company could ask, “If this really happened at work, why didn’t you report it?” This is a fair question that becomes hard to answer.
Medical records also create issues. If you first see your personal doctor instead of reporting a work injury, the medical records can show it as a non-work condition. These conflicting records can hurt your case.
Finally, memories fade. Coworkers who witnessed your injury may not remember important details months later. Supervisors move to different positions. Documents get lost or destroyed.
How to properly report an injury
The solution is simple: report every injury, even minor ones. Wisconsin law requires you to give notice to your employer as soon as possible. Here’s what you should do:
- Tell your supervisor immediately, even if the injury seems small
- Put it in writing if possible
- Include the date, time, location and what you were doing
- Note which body part was affected
- List any witnesses who saw what happened
- Keep a copy of your injury report for your records
Reporting a minor injury could save your workers’ compensation claim months or years down the road. You cannot always predict which condition may turn into something serious, so playing it safe by filing an injury report can provide crucial peace of mind.
