Work Related Injuries Not Being Reported

Have you been injured at work or suffered a work related illness?  A new study shows that almost two-thirds of work related accidents and illnesses go unreported.  The study also showed that the reason the work related injuries go unreported is not only from the employer not reporting the injuries to workers but also because the employee doesn't want to report the injury and collect workers' compensation benefits.

Here are some of the most common reasons workers decide not to report their work related injuries:

• They are convinced by their employer not to report the incident
• They are convinced by co-workers not to report the incident
• They want to receive a bonus, dinner or some type of other incentive for not having injuries in the work place for "x" amount of days or years and decide not to report the injury
• They do not want to be given a drug test which may happen as part of a procedural process after they report the injury that happened at work

Other reasons work related injuries go unreported are because the employer does not want to report the injuries.  It could be for any of these reasons:

• The company does not want to lose out on a chance of winning contracts
• The company does not want to cost of their workers' compensation insurance to go up based on your injury
• The company does not want to have their work place listed as having an injury or illness that is work related. 
  

Over 47% of people say that they are pressured by someone whether it be a employer or a co-worker to not report their injury.  Not reporting an injury can not only be bad for your health but can also be masking a bigger problem of why the injuries are occuring and how to prevent them from happening again to you or to a future worker. 

If you have been injured at work it is important that you do not allow yourself or anyone else to talk you out of filing the injury and from speaking to a workers' compensation lawyer.  If you live in New York or New Jersey and have been injured at work or have a work related illness contact Frank J. Dito Jr. Staten Island workers' compensation attorney at 718.979.4300 or 800.976.4904 or fill out our web form and someone will get back to you as soon as possible either by email or phone (your preference).