What may happen if an employee does not report their injury at work immediately?

Reporting a workplace injury promptly is crucial for ensuring that an employee’s eligibility for workers' compensation benefits remains intact. When an employee postpones reporting their injury, it can create complications in verifying the claim, such as challenges in establishing the timeline of events, the relationship of the injury to work activities, and the diligence in seeking timely medical treatment.

Many workers' compensation laws require immediate notification to an employer to facilitate a smooth process for filing a claim. Delayed reporting may increase scrutiny by insurers or lead to a situation where the claim could be denied based on lack of evidence or failure to comply with statutory notice requirements. Thus, the employee might jeopardize their ability to receive necessary benefits.

The other options do not represent typical consequences of failing to report an injury immediately. While job loss can occur for various reasons, it is not a direct result of late injury reporting. Disqualification from future claims is not an automatic outcome; each case is typically evaluated on its unique circumstances. Finally, an employer's liability does not solely rest on the timing of the injury report, as other factors are considered in determining liability for workplace injuries.