Do You Know What To Do If You’re Injured At Work?

Workplace injuries are more common than you think. In fact, in 2015, approximately 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by employers. That’s a lot of people who were injured at work, even if it was minor. Considering that this could happen to anyone at any time, it’s important to know what to do in case you are one of the next people who are injured at work. In fact, being prepared is what could help you recover more quickly. If you find yourself injured at work, here are the steps you need to take.

Report It Immediately

If possible, the very first thing you need to do is report the injury immediately to a supervisor. It’s always best to do this in writing, if possible, so there is documented proof of the communication in the workplace. In fact, some states will require the injury to be reported in written form, which is why it’s best to do this. Also, some states have a statute of limitations, so if you wait to report the injury, it could put you at risk for receiving any benefits that may be due to you from the injury.

Seek Medical Attention

In addition to reporting the injury to your immediate supervisor, it’s also important for you to seek medical care as soon as possible. This allows you to create more documented proof of the injury you sustained. Doing this immediately is also important so you can not only get treated, but so there’s proof that the injury you sustained was due directly to the injury you sustained on the job.

Keep in mind that you can see your own medical provider, but depending on the state you live in or the injury you sustain, you may be required to see a specific doctor as well. No matter who you see or what the results say, it’s extremely important for you to keep written documentation of all medical visits and all results. This will be your protection when you need to file your workplace injury claim. Ask your doctor to provide you with copies of your visits so you have them on file.

File A Workplace Claim

After you have seen the doctor, you must file a workplace claim. You can talk to your Human Resources Department to see how to go about this, as they will have the workplace health and safety paperwork and procedures you need to complete and follow. Be sure to follow these procedures as accurately as possible, as this will help to streamline the process and keep your claim moving in the right direction.

Talk To A Lawyer

Every workplace injury will not require you to find a lawyer, but some will. If you feel like you’re being taken advantage of or if you feel like a lawyer will help move your claim forward, it’s necessary for you to seek legal assistance. Do some research to find a workplace injury lawyer in your area that is willing to take your case and fight for you. Keep in mind that most injury lawyers will cost you money, so be sure this is something you can afford or that you fully understand what you’re getting into when you move forward with a professional lawyer. If you don’t have the funds to hire an attorney and the attorney you choose does not work on contingency, another option is to get a loan for your worker’s compensation case. That way, you don’t have to worry about your medical and living expenses while you’re waiting for your case to settle.

Take Care Of Yourself

Depending on the severity of a workplace injury, you need to make sure you are taking proper care of yourself. For instance, be sure you are following doctor’s orders. If you are put on bed rest, then you want to be sure you are staying on bed rest. If you are taking the time off work, but you are found out shopping or taking vacations, it could put your workplace injury claim in trouble. Instead, be sure to follow the doctor’s orders and take proper care of yourself so you can get better and so your workplace injury claim can be processed accordingly.

Workplace injuries and business accidents are not something that anyone wants to experience, but considering how often they happen, it’s important for you to follow these tips if you are hurt. In addition, you also want to be sure you are taking extra precautions while at work so you can avoid workplace injuries before they occur. By following these tips, you can rest assured your workplace injury claim is processed in the best possible way so your health and well-being are properly cared for by your employer.

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