In workers’ compensation, employees who are injured on the job are entitled to certain benefits, such as medical treatment, wage replacement, and rehabilitation services. However, some employees may be hesitant to report an injury or file a workers’ compensation claim because they are worried about their job security or the cost of the claim to their employer.
If an employee is injured on the job and decides not to report the injury or file a workers’ compensation claim, they may be trying to be penny wise by avoiding the costs of the claim. However, in doing so, they may be pound foolish, because they are likely to experience more serious health problems as a result of not getting proper medical treatment, and they may lose out on important wage replacement benefits that could help them get back on their feet after an injury.
In addition, if an employee doesn’t report an injury or file a workers’ compensation claim, they may be jeopardizing their legal rights and ability to obtain benefits in the future. This is because workers’ compensation benefits are only available for injuries that are reported and documented, and there are strict time limits for filing claims.
In summary, the expression “penny wise, pound foolish” can be applied to workers’ compensation by describing the situation where an injured employee tries to avoid the cost of filing a claim but ends up incurring more serious health problems or financial hardship as a result. It’s important for employees to report any workplace injuries and file workers’ compensation claims in a timely manner to ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to under the law.