Things to Avoid While Getting Treatment for Workplace Injuries in Florida

When you’re struggling with serious injuries after a workplace accident in Tampa, it can be difficult to approach your medical treatment with any degree of efficiency. Indeed, the simple act of remaining conscious through painful surgeries, brain damage, and endless medications may prove challenging enough. That being said, it is important to avoid certain mistakes while walking the difficult road to recovery.

 Opioid Addiction 

Unfortunately, many injured workers become addicted to opioids after their accidents. This is something that the Department of Labor is well aware of – and this department has published various papers on the problem. It goes without saying that you should avoid becoming addicted to opioids and other painkillers after your workplace accident at all costs – as these powerful drugs have exhibited the potential to completely destroy lives in America. Saying no can be challenging, however, especially when doctors seem to be pushing these drugs due to financial kickbacks and conflicts of interest.

 Not Getting Enough Treatment 

While you should say no to certain medications if possible, it is also very important to say “yes” to the treatment you actually need. If you brush off your injuries and play down their seriousness, you could encounter a range of serious financial and health issues in the future. The only way to properly assess your injuries is to have them examined by a medical professional. Some injuries are much more serious than they may appear at first.

In addition, failing to get medical treatment may make it impossible to pursue a Workers’ Compensation claim at a later date. If no medical records exist of your injury, your employer and their insurers may argue that the injury never actually occurred. This is why your medical records often prove very important when you file your claim. Note that some injuries are genuinely undetectable at first – such as asbestos exposure. Even if you only become aware of your injuries many decades after the exposure, however, you may still be eligible to file a claim.

 Settling Before You Reach Your Maximum Medical Improvement 

It may be very tempting to settle your claim early, but it is usually best to wait. Until you reach your Maximum Medical Improvement, it is virtually impossible to tell how your injury will affect you for the rest of your life. Also known as “MMI,” Maximum Medical Improvement is the point at which doctors step back and accept that they have done all they can. After your MMI, your condition will not improve any further – and you will have a clear understanding of the long-term effects of your injury.

 Find a Qualified, Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Tampa 

If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced workers’ comp attorney in Tampa, look no further than the Franco Law Firm. We know how difficult it is to pursue effective medical treatment after workplace accidents – and we’re here to help. One of the first steps is paying for your treatment, and this is much easier when you fight for your rights to a Workers’ Compensation Claim. Book your consultation today to get started with an effective action plan.

Sources: 

dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OASP/evaluation/pdf/OWCP_OpioidPrescriptionManagement1_FinalReport_Aug2020.pdf

sira.nsw.gov.au/workers-compensation-claims-guide/glossary/m/maximum-medical-improvement-mmi