What To Do When You Get Injured At Work

Many people are injured at work every day. Some injuries are small, while others are serious and can prevent a person from working for a long time or even permanently. If you or someone close to you has been hurt while doing their job, you may qualify for monthly benefits through workers’ compensation. These benefits can help cover medical care, rehabilitation costs, lost wages while you recover, and additional financial support to help your family.

If a workplace accident has resulted in the loss of a loved one, you may also be able to claim benefits or take legal action against the employer through a wrongful death claim. After a serious work injury, it is normal to feel confused or unsure about what steps to take next. To help during this difficult time, we have outlined some important actions you should consider if you want the best treatment for work injuries.

1. Report the Injury Immediately

You should inform your employer about your workplace injury as soon as you can. Workers’ compensation laws require employees to report any work-related injury within 30 days of when it happens. If you miss this deadline, your employer may legally deny your workers’ compensation claim. 

Be sure to report the injury to a supervisor or the company owner. It would be a good idea to read your company's employee handbook if it has one. It might describe the right way to report a job injury.

2. Get Medical Help

Another important step after a workplace accident is to get medical care right away. You should schedule an appointment with an approved doctor as soon as possible after the injury. You should visit the nearest hospital or urgent injury care center if the accident happens at night or on a weekend. 

If your regular doctor is available during extended hours, you may also go there. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance is responsible for covering the cost of emergency medical treatment for work injury, even if there is no posted list of approved doctors.

3. Follow Medical Advice

It is very important to follow all instructions given by your doctor. Make sure you fill the prescription and take it exactly as directed if medication is prescribed. If your doctor refers you to a specialist (such as a physical therapist), you should attend all scheduled appointments. 

Workers’ compensation insurance companies often look for reasons to deny claims. This means not following medical instructions may be used as a reason to reject your claim.

4. Look for Approved Doctors

Your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance and should provide a list of approved doctors you are allowed to visit. This list is called the panel of physicians. These are the doctors whose treatment will be covered by the insurance policy. Ask your supervisor or the human resources department to share it with you as soon as possible if you do not know where to find this list. 

You are allowed to choose your own doctor if your employer does not provide the list within a reasonable amount of time. However, your employer or their insurance provider may deny your workers’ compensation claim if you are given the approved list and decide to see a doctor who is not on it.

5. Apply for Workers’ Compensation

The State Board of Workers’ Compensation is the government office that handles all workers’ compensation claims. To protect your rights, you must formally file your claim with them. This usually requires completing and submitting Form WC-14 to the State Board. You can download the form online or contact the State Board to request a copy. 

Although there are a few rare situations where this form may not be required, it is best to speak with an attorney before deciding not to file it. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help ensure the form is filled out correctly and completely. Your claim may be delayed or denied if the form is incomplete or incorrect. 

6. Incident Report Copy

In some cases, employers cooperate with their workers to resolve workers’ compensation claims. Unfortunately, others may delay the process in the hope that the employee will give up and not move forward with a claim. 

When this happens, it is important to have a strong and proactive attorney supporting you. You can request copies of any workplace incident reports your employer has submitted to their insurance company. It is also a good idea to keep a copy of your WC-14 form for your own records. 

You should write your own detailed report and save a copy if your employer refuses to create a written incident report. If your employer delays sharing information or refuses to submit your claim on time, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Conclusion

It can be hard to deal with workplace injuries when you're in pain, going to the doctor, and worrying about your money. It's really important to know what to do after an accident. Reporting the accident on time, seeking medical care, and filling out the correct documents are all easy things you can do to safeguard your health, your employment, and your rights.

If things start to get confused or your employer or their insurance company takes too long, having the appropriate help can make a big difference. The Complete Injury Care Center is here to help you preserve your rights, guide you, and support you as you heal. You don't have to deal with a workplace injury on your own. Getting the correct aid can make things clearer and less stressful.