In the days following a work accident, you may feel overwhelmed at the situation. Not only are you facing time off from work because of your injuries, but you must also deal with your employer wishing to talk to you or have you sign documentation about the accident. However, before you speak with anyone or sign everything, make sure you do not make the following communication mistakes that could jeopardize your workers' compensation claim.

1.  Signing Anything Given to You Without Consulting an Attorney

As soon as you report that you were involved in an accident where you work, you will be asked to sign an injury report that has your statement about the accident. While this document is acceptable to sign, you should be leery of any other papers that your employer, their insurance company, or the company physician gives to you.

While not every employer is out to get you, there are, unfortunately, some companies that do try to get out of compensating an injured employee's wages, medical bills, and other incidental expenses. Sometimes, the legalese and wording of the documents they present to you may be a little tricky.

If you do not fully understand what you are signing, you may inadvertently waive your right to compensation or take responsibility for the accident. You should always show the documents to an attorney before signing anything.

2.  Saying Too Much to Your Employer or a Third-party Representative

After your injury, you might be contacted by your employer or third-party representatives to make statements or just to "check up on you." While you can speak with whoever has made contact, make sure that you do not say too much while doing so, even if the person seems to be nice or genuinely concerned.

Anyone who claims to be a third-party representative from the company is ultimately working for your employer. If you say anything that contradicts your initial statement or even if you say that you are feeling okay on a particular day, this information can and usually will be used against you when it comes time to receive compensation.

If someone does want to speak with you, talk to your lawyer first. They may want to coach you on what to say or even be present during the interaction.

After being injured at work, you must be careful about how you handle communications with your employer and their representatives so that you do not put your claim in jeopardy. If you have any problems or need guidance on how to proceed with any documentation or meetings, speak with a workman's compensation attorney before you take any action.