One of the common mistakes injured workers make is this: they don't report their injury in a timely manner. Keep in mind, an employer can't provide medical treatment or benefits if she doesn't know you have been hurt!

Typically, this mistake is most common with the late in the shift or weekend injury. The incident doesn't seem like much. You figure, if I tough it out, ice it down tonight, I'll be good as new in the morning. This might even go on for a week, or so. Then you wake up one morning and you are in severe pain and you can't move.

This kind of scenario gives employers and claims representatives all kinds of ideas about fraud and misrepresentation which leads to more tomfoolery and chicanery.

Do it right: Report your injury when it happens and thoroughly. For help you can visit my "starting a claim" page.