A work accident can entitle you to medical treatment and financial benefits for injuries suffered. However, if you don’t report the injury to your employer in time, the law may prevent you from receiving anything at all. Injured workers are required to provide timely notice of a work-related injury, which goes beyond simply telling a supervisor or safety representative that there is pain. Notice must clearly state that the injury is work-related and caused by work activities.
Notice Requirements in Kansas vs. Missouri
Notice requirements for work injuries vary between states, such as Kansas and Missouri.
Kansas: In most cases, workers must report a work-related injury within 30 days from what is considered the "date of loss." However, if the worker is no longer employed with the company, this deadline is shortened to 20 days from the last day worked. This is a problematic law, in our opinion, as it seems designed to limit access to the workers’ compensation system for injured employees.
Missouri: Missouri has a 30-day notice deadline but allows for some exceptions and ways to work around this timeline.
Real-World Example: What Happens When You Don't Report a Work Injury on Time
Imagine you start experiencing numbness, tingling, and pain in your hands. You report these symptoms to your employer, but only mention the symptoms, not the cause. Your employer advises you to take a leave of absence to see if it gets better. After a week with no improvement, you schedule a doctor's appointment, but the doctor is booked for two weeks. In the meantime, your employer won't allow you to return until you’ve been cleared by the doctor.
Unfortunately, during this time, you are fired for missing work. When you finally see your doctor, they diagnose you with carpal tunnel syndrome and suggest surgery. You then tell your former employer that the condition is likely caused by your repetitive work activities. However, it is now more than 20 days since your last day of work, and your workers’ compensation claim has been denied.
This could be a devastating outcome, especially if your health insurance does not cover work-related injuries.
Traumatic vs. Repetitive Injuries: Reporting Your Symptoms Early
Traumatic injuries - those caused by a sudden and specific event—are easier to report. If you wait a few days to see if the injury heals on its own, this is typically acceptable. However, repetitive injuries are trickier, as you may not initially realize the cause. If you suspect that your work activities are contributing to your symptoms, it is critical to report it as such.
You don’t have to be 100% certain of the cause, but you must clearly state that you believe your work activities are the likely cause. This is the only way to preserve your right to pursue medical treatment and financial benefits.
The Bottom Line: Report Your Symptoms and Their Work Connection
If you believe your symptoms are work-related and may require medical attention, report them immediately. Complete an accident report if available, and send an email or text confirming that you’ve reported your symptoms. This creates a record of your report.
Some of our most upsetting conversations are with individuals who clearly suffered work-related injuries but failed to give timely notice. They need medical treatment but cannot work until they get it - and, unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to help.
Don’t let yourself become one of them! Report your symptoms and their connection to your work as soon as possible to protect your right to the benefits you deserve.