What Not to Do on Workers’ Comp: 11 Costly Mistakes

Mar 24, 2026 | By Viral Mehta | Read Time: 10 minutes

Workers' Compensation

Injuries at the workplace can happen all too often due to a multitude of hazards. Employees needing to file for workers’ compensation for their injuries include retail workers, construction workers, and others.

If you are researching what not to do while on workers’ comp, you are not alone. Many injured workers in Charlotte are unsure whether they should file a claim, whether they need a lawyer, or how to protect an existing case from denial. The reality is that even small workers’ compensation mistakes can delay benefits or give the insurance company a reason to challenge your claim. Understanding your responsibilities under North Carolina law can make the difference between receiving full benefits and facing unnecessary stress.

At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, our lawyers recognize how stressful it is for you and your family if you suffer work-related injuries. We are here to guide you in filing your workers’ compensation claim. Key Takeaways

Report your injury promptly — waiting too long can hurt your claim or bar you from benefits.
Seek medical care right away and follow your doctor’s treatment plan to avoid disputes over your condition.
Be truthful and accurate — exaggerating, understating, or lying about your injuries can jeopardize your benefits and credibility.
Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies without legal guidance; they may use your words against you.
Meet all deadlines — in North Carolina, you typically have 30 days to notify your employer and two years to file your claim.
Hire the right workers’ comp attorney with experience and capacity to handle your case effectively.
Be honest with your lawyer so they can fully protect your rights and maximize your claim.

Protect your workers’ compensation claim by knowing what not to do while on workers’ comp. Avoid skipping medical appointments, ignoring treatment plans, exaggerating injuries, working unauthorized jobs, or posting carelessly on social media.

You can reach our lawyers at 980-326-2270.

1. Not Documenting the Injury or What Happened

Being in an accident on the job can be embarrassing and stressful. Nevertheless, it is critical that you document your work-related injury and what happened on the job.

It would be best to write down everything you remember about the accident, including what occurred before and after you experienced an injury.

If you have the names of any witnesses, you should keep records of them.

2. Not Reporting Your Injury Immediately

Some might think they do not need to report their injury immediately. However, this would be a grave mistake if you hope to recover benefits through your claim. File your workers’ compensation claim immediately after a work injury to begin receiving benefits faster.

Delaying the report of a workplace injury can hurt your workers’ compensation claim. Insurers may question if the injury was job-related. Prompt reporting creates a clear injury record and helps prevent future disputes.

In North Carolina, you have up to 30 days after the date of your injury to report it to your employer. But don’t wait to notify them that you have gotten hurt. The sooner you report, the better.

If you do not need medical care immediately, report your injuries right after the accident. This will give you the best chance of recovering workers’ compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs.

3. Not Seeking Medical Care Right Away

You should get to a doctor as soon as possible if you are hurt. Once you arrive, inform the doctor that you sustained injuries on the job.

Obtain medical reports and treatment plans to support your benefits claim.

4. Not Following Medical Recommendations from Your Doctor

You must adhere to any treatment plan recommended by your doctor. Otherwise, it may be challenging for you to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

For example, you should ensure that you attend all your appointments. Do not return to work before your physician states it is safe.

Insurance companies could use your early return to try to invalidate your claim. In a nutshell, follow your doctor’s advice to the letter.

5. Exaggerating or Lying About Your Injuries

Employees might occasionally try to embellish their symptoms or lie about their injuries to boost their claims. This will not help you and is never acceptable.

More seriously, it could be fraud, which could result in serious legal troubles for you.

6. Understating Your Injuries

You shouldn’t understate the pain you are going through or the extent of your injuries. Let your doctor know all of the symptoms you’ve experienced.

Not being clear about your injuries could lead to not getting the proper work restrictions or treatment plan.

It might be helpful to keep a record of your day-to-day symptoms and bring it with you to the doctor. This is also useful when you file your claim for benefits.

7. Giving a Recorded Statement to Your Insurance Company

You should be very cautious if the insurance company asks for a recorded statement. The words you say in a recorded statement could be twisted or used against you.

Insurance companies may use your statement as a reason to deny your claim. You should contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney when asked for a statement.

Our lawyers at Mehta & McConnell can help ensure you get the benefits you need for your injuries.

8. Not Meeting the Time Limit to File Your Claim

You must ensure that you meet the deadline for filing for workers’ compensation. These deadlines vary somewhat depending on the type of injury.

Workplace Injuries

In North Carolina, you will have to file your claim within two years of the date of your injury. You should file as soon as possible to receive your benefits earlier.

Examples of injuries on the job that may be eligible for benefits include:

Slips, trips, and falls;
Repetitive use injuries;
Strains and sprains;
Being hit by a falling object;
Burns, and
Exposure to toxic chemicals.

If you have experienced one of these injuries or another not listed, consider reaching out to our accomplished attorneys.

We can aid you in recovering the cost of medical expenses, lost income, and more due to your injuries.

“Are you searching for a lawyer for a family member or friend? We can help, we work with you to ensure your loved one receives the best representation possible?”

Call Today

Workplace Illnesses or Occupational Diseases

You have a two-year deadline to report an occupational disease. But the time begins to run from when you’ve been advised by a doctor that you have the occupational disease.

There are several exceptions to reporting deadlines that depend on the type of the disorder, so be sure to call a qualified medical professional if you believe you have sustained an occupational disease.

Our lawyers at Mehta & McConnell can then help you to file your claim for benefits.

9. Not Hiring an Attorney

Insurance companies are not working with your best interests at heart. Therefore, it is vital that you reach out to an employment attorney to avoid making workers’ comp mistakes.

A lawyer can help advocate for you and can assist you in recovering your benefits.

10. Hiring the Wrong Workers’ Comp Attorney

Besides hiring a lawyer, you need to make sure that you hire the right attorney for you. Many lawyers offer free consultations.

You may want to use these consultations to determine if the attorney is the right fit for you.

For example, you want to ensure the lawyer you hire has the time and resources to manage your claim correctly. If they are too busy to dedicate themselves to your claim, this can result in a reduction or denial of your benefits.

Additionally, you should ensure that the lawyer you choose has plenty of experience in workers’ compensation and proven results.

At Mehta & McConnell, our lawyers have over 40 years of combined legal experience. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today. We are here to fight for you and help you recover the benefits you deserve.

11. Being Dishonest with Your Lawyer

It should go without saying, but you must be honest with your attorney about what happened to you. You should be open and candid about your story and the extent of your injuries.

You don’t need to leave out critical details, but don’t exaggerate.

One of the biggest mistakes is falling for common workers’ comp adjuster tricks designed to minimize or deny your claim.

Understanding What Not to Do While on Workers’ Comp in North Carolina

Many injured employees focus only on filing paperwork but fail to understand what not to do while on workers’ comp after the claim begins. Once your claim is filed, your case will likely be managed by a workers’ compensation insurance carrier or sometimes a third-party administrator (TPA) hired by your employer. They will assign a claims adjuster to investigate your case. Their job is not to protect you. It is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line.

This means you must be cautious about:

Working side jobs or “under the table” employment while receiving benefits,
Ignoring work restrictions provided by your authorized treating physician,
Failing to attend independent medical examinations (IMEs) requested by the carrier, or
Posting photos or videos that contradict your claimed limitations.

Even innocent actions can be misinterpreted. For example, a photo of you attending a family event could be used to argue that you are not as injured as claimed. This is why understanding what not to do while on workers’ comp is just as important as filing the claim itself. Your attorney can help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Comp Claims

What Happens When You File a Workers’ Comp Claim?

What’s the process after you file your claim for workers’ compensation? After filing, you will either get approved or receive a notice of why my workers’ comp claim was denied. If you want to appeal the decision, our lawyers are here to fight for you.

Is Filing Workers’ Comp Bad?

Filing a claim for workers’ comp is perfectly acceptable if you have suffered an injury or illness at work. The reason we have a workers’ comp system in place is to protect you.

Filing a workers’ compensation claim is your legal right and not harmful. It protects your access to medical care and wage replacement after a work-related injury. File a claim if your injury causes medical bills, lost wages, or time off work.

You deserve to recover benefits for your injuries so that you can heal. If your employer retaliates against you for filing a claim, you should consider hiring a workers’ comp lawyer.

If you are an employer and want to know how to avoid workers’ comp claims, keep in mind that most claims can be headed off by establishing a safe work culture and holding safety meetings on a regular basis.

What Benefits Am I Eligible for Under Workers’ Comp?

Medical Treatment

One of the main benefits you might receive when you correctly file your claim is compensation for medical treatment, including treatment for your injuries and medication.

Wage Loss Payments

If you have lost income due to your injury on the job, workers’ compensation may allow you to receive disability payments.

These payments in North Carolina are calculated based on your average weekly wage. Often, your benefits will be approximately 66% of that average weekly wage, but benefits may vary.

What you might receive under workers’ comp depends on your circumstances. For example, there are four different disability categories for purposes of workers’ comp:

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)—this is a period in which a person has improved and can work somewhat;
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)—this refers to a period in which a person is entirely unable to work while receiving treatment;
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)—this is a permanent injury to a part of a person’s body, but not necessarily such that a person will be unable to work; and
Permanent Total Disability (PTD)—this refers to permanent damage to the body after a person has reached maximum improvement and results in an inability to ever work in suitable employment.

Thus, it is critical that you call one of our skilled lawyers, who can help you determine your benefits.

What Are Common Mistakes That Can Hurt a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Common mistakes like delaying treatment, not reporting the injury, or ignoring medical advice can make insurers question the injury’s severity or its connection to work.

Can What I Say to My Employer or Insurance Company Be Used Against Me?

Statements to employers or insurers can be misinterpreted, so speak carefully and accurately about your injury and symptoms.

Does Posting on Social Media Affect a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Social media posts can be used to question your injury. Photos or comments showing activity may be misinterpreted and used against your claim.

What Happens If I Don’t Report My Workplace Injury Immediately?

Failing to provide notice within 30 days may result in a denial of benefits unless you can show a reasonable excuse and that the delay did not prejudice your employer. Insurance carriers often argue that delayed reporting suggests the injury did not happen at work.

Can My Workers’ Compensation Claim Be Denied If I Keep Working After an Injury?

Yes, it can complicate your claim. If you continue working without restrictions or medical documentation, the workers’ compensation insurance carrier may argue that your injury is minor or unrelated to your job. However, every situation is fact-specific. Some employees attempt to “push through” pain because they fear losing their jobs.

How Can Inconsistent Medical Records or Missing Treatment Hurt My Workers’ Comp Case?

Gaps in treatment are among the most common workers’ compensation mistakes. Claims adjusters often review records carefully for inconsistencies. If you miss appointments or fail to report symptoms consistently, the insurance company may argue that your injury resolved or was exaggerated. Consistent medical care creates a documented timeline that supports wage loss and disability benefits.

Can Seeing a Doctor Outside the Employer-Approved Network Ruin My Workers’ Compensation Case?

In North Carolina, your employer or its insurance carrier generally has the right to direct medical treatment. Seeking treatment outside the authorized network without approval can result in unpaid medical bills. However, you may request a change of physician through the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

Should You Talk to a Lawyer Before Filing?

If you are still in the early stages and researching what not to do while on workers’ comp before filing, consulting a lawyer can help you avoid preventable mistakes. An attorney can explain how disability benefits are calculated (typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage), help you gather proper documentation, and communicate directly with the claims adjuster so you do not inadvertently harm your case.

If you already have an open claim and are trying to protect it, legal guidance becomes even more critical. A denial does not mean the end of your case. You have the right to request a hearing before the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

Workers’ compensation cases in Charlotte often involve complex medical evidence, vocational issues, and disputes over disability ratings. Having experienced counsel ensures you are not navigating those disputes alone.

How Our NC Workers’ Comp Lawyers Can Help You

If you have suffered injuries or an illness at work, reach out to our lawyers at Mehta & McConnell. We can help you to file your claim for workers’ compensation or to appeal a denial of benefits.

Our areas of expertise include workplace injuries, workers’ compensation for undocumented workers, and lost wages claims.

Consider giving our attorneys a call today at 9803262270 for a free consultation.

Legal References Used to Inform This Page

To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:

Viral Mehta

Viral Mehta is the managing attorney of Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers, a Charlotte, North Carolina Workers’ Compensation law firm. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, sports, and reading.

11 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Workers’ Compensation Claim