Injuries can occur at any moment, and getting injured at work is a serious matter. Whether the injury is mild or severe, it needs recognition. After you get hurt, you must follow a specific set of steps to get the treatment and money you deserve. Read here about what you should do after a workplace injury.
Report Your Injury to Your Employer
After you sustain a workplace injury, the first thing you should do is report it. Delayed reporting or a lack of reporting altogether can result in worker’s compensation denial. In addition, when an employee has a severe work-related injury, OSHA requires their employer to notify certain agencies within 24 hours of the accident. Therefore, if you have a severe case, you and the employer must both report it right away.
Consult Your Doctor
If you’re injured in a work-related accident, you need to see a doctor, even if your employer doesn’t offer medical help. Your injuries may seem minor, but it’s vital to get everything checked out in case they’re more severe than you thought. It’s also critical to understand that insurance companies can deny a worker’s compensation claim if you don’t seek medical treatment.
If you don’t have a primary care doctor, go to the emergency room for medical treatment. It’s also important to express that your injury was work related while speaking to the doctor. Letting your doctor know this information is for future reference for you, your employer, and the insurance company.
Keep a Record of Any Missed Workdays
In the event you miss workdays because of an injury, keep a record of the days you’re at home. Worker’s compensation laws typically allow employees to receive seven days of their weekly wage payments. This is called a seven-day waiting period. If your injuries go beyond the seven days, write down the last day of your payment. If you receive worker’s compensation or money from the insurance company, they can pay you for the days between your last seven-day waiting period payment until the present.
File a Worker’s Compensation Claim
Navigating a payment after a workplace accident is stressful. You’re not only trying to heal but also trying to obtain the money you deserve. Prior to filing a claim to receive money and treatment for your injury, consult with an attorney about your situation. In many cases, consultations are free. If things escalate into a lawsuit against your workplace, attorneys can answer questions such as how long it might take to get money from a settlement.
Workplace injuries can happen at any moment. Unfortunately, many employees walk away without the money or treatment they deserve due to a lack of reporting. If you sustain a workplace injury, read our guide about what you should do after a workplace injury for a rundown of the proper procedures.
