What Should You Do If You Were Injured at Work?
Workplace injuries can be extremely serious and even life-threatening. Depending on where you work, you might be on a hazardous job site, around heavy machinery, dangerous chemicals, or other serious hazards. In the heat of the moment, it can be extremely difficult to identify the proper procedure after an injury, which is why you need to know what to do ahead of time. Taking immediate action to treat your injury and handle the situation could make a significant difference in how your injury heals and how your workers’ compensation case pans out.
About Workers’ Compensation
First of all, it’s important to understand that being injured on the job is the responsibility of your company. In most cases, injured workers are entitled to certain benefits if they were injured, became ill, or were otherwise harmed while performing duties for their job. These injuries might happen at the workplace or while driving or performing another off-site job for your company.
Whether or not you know if you have a workers’ comp case on your hands, make sure you take appropriate action to protect yourself after an injury.If you were injured at work, follow these key steps:
1. Reporting Your Injury
Telling your supervisor or manager about your injury is crucial. Even if it was minor and you don’t feel severely hurt, always make sure you report the incident immediately. Some injuries take a while to present themselves, and if you suffered a concussion, whiplash, or some other serious harm, you need to have the date of your incident marked down to support your claim.
On the other hand, if your injury is serious, your supervisor or manager can help to get the right procedures in motion.
2. Get Medical Attention
Once you’ve told your boss about your injury, go to the doctor or emergency room immediately, depending on the severity of your injury. If the injury is serious, you should either have someone drive you to the emergency room or call 911 for an ambulance. Even if you are only dealing with a minor injury, seek out a first aid kit and see a doctor as soon as possible. Delaying medical care isn’t just bad for your health, it could also negatively affect your claim through work, or could at least make it more complicated.
Your company will want you to see their doctor, which you should do. However, you might also choose to see a different doctor who you trust. The company doctor will be biased, whereas your personal doctor will be able to evaluate your illness or injury from a clear perspective. Even if both doctors reach the same conclusion, it is wise to seek the opinion of more than one medical professional. If the injury is specialized or particularly complex, you might also want to see a specialist.
3. Requesting a Workers’ Comp Claim
After you’ve taken care of the immediate concerns, you should request a workers’ compensation claim. In order to file a workers’ compensation claim, you must notify your company or employer of your wish to file a claim. They are required, by law, to provide you with the forms you need. Much like filing any other insurance claim, you will explain the incident and provide any other information requested on the form itself.
If you were injured at work, make sure you have the legal support you need. Contact Scaringi Law today to begin working on your workers’ compensation case with our Harrisburg attorneys.