Have you tripped and fallen at work recently? Perhaps the floor was slippery, or there was an unnoticeable, loose wire. Regardless, workplace accidents occur more frequently than people realize. A report by the National Safety Council reveals that an employee is injured on the job every seven seconds.
While most injuries are not fatal, some can be life-threatening. For instance, more than 5200 workers succumbed to injuries in 2018 alone. It is most unfortunate that many survivors of workplace injuries have to endure lengthy rehabilitation processes and costly medical bills.
A workplace injury could leave you burdened with medical bills, temporarily sideline you from work, or worse yet, leave you permanently incapacitated. By following the right steps following a workplace personal injury, you can secure the compensation you deserve and prevent a loss of income. Here are the five steps you should follow after sustaining an injury on the job.
- Seek Medical Help
Always consult a medical professional immediately after a workplace injury even if the injury does not seem that serious. A doctor will give you the best advice possible on the most effective remedy for your injury and determine an optimal rest duration.
Remember, returning to work before consulting a doctor could negatively impact the strength of your claim. In case you may need to visit the emergency room, your employer should cover the travel costs. Tell the doctor everything about the injury, including the accompanying symptoms. Ensure that the doctor takes notes and creates a Health Professional’s Report.
- Inform Your Employer
Shortly following your injury, ensure your employer is aware of what happened. Some employers called walk you through the injury claims process if it is your first time handling a workplace injury.
Always ask your supervisor about the organization’s guidelines for employee incident reports. Workers’ compensation laws in many states require injured workers to fill incident reports before a specific deadline. Fill in the necessary documents as soon as you can to avoid missing your compensation.
Informing your employer is not only crucial for navigating your injury but also revealing other workplace safety concerns. This could help them implement better safety measures that prevent other workers from getting injured in the future.
- Keep Track of Everything
Among the best claim strengthening initiatives you can take following your injury is keeping track of everything by taking notes. Waiting too long before you start writing all the injury details down could put you at risk of forgetting crucial information.
For instance, if you sustained a concussion or head injury, remembering all the details could be a huge challenge. When writing down your notes, always include details such as:
- Where the injury occurred
- The date and time of injury
- What you suppose caused the injury
- The names of any witnesses to your accident
- The things you were doing right before you got injured
Taking detailed notes will make your claim more substantial, especially when working against an unscrupulous employer who may try to make it seem like you did not sustain any injuries on the job. Without the proper notes, you lack sufficient evidence to support your compensation claim.
- Consult a Lawyer
Although you may handle the claims process alone, having an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer by your side could strengthen your claim. We recommend hiring a lawyer with plenty of experience handling similar cases to yours.
- Make a Claim
After taking all the steps mentioned above, make a claim for workers’ compensation. The benefits you stand to receive from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board should be enough to cover your medical bills and missed work.
It is not your duty to prove how the job led to a disease or caused your injury. Instead, your focus should be on showing how your job contributed to the injury or disease. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can handle all the heavy lifting needed to validate your claim.
