Your 5-Step Guide to What to Do After Being Injured at Work

Workplace injuries can happen to anyone, at any time, in any industry. There is no industry exempt from workplace injuries and when they occur, they can be life-altering.

If an employee suffers from a workplace injury that affects their earnings, incurs medical bills, or causes physical and emotional suffering, it is important they seek compensation. These are the five steps to securing that compensation and protecting your legal rights in the wake of a workplace injury.

For more information and legal assistance, contact Ivan M. Diamond to find out how much your claim could be worth.

Step 1: Report the Injury to Your Supervisor

The first thing you need to do to protect your legal rights is to report your injury. You must do this as soon as possible to ensure your claim is not dismissed out of hand.

The best way to do this is verbally at the time of the injury, then again in writing later that day. This provides written evidence that you informed your senior of the injury and will prevent any dispute later.

Step 2: Inform Your Healthcare Provider that the Injury Occurred at Work

When you seek medical care, inform the doctor that is treating you that you sustained your injuries at work. This will mean that this goes into your medical notes and can also be used for evidence if the case goes to court.

Step 3: Keep a Diary

Throughout your ordeal, you should keep a diary of all treatment, missed work days, travel expenses and any other unforeseen out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the injury. This might include any psychological treatment, childcare costs and public transportation outlays.

The more comprehensive your diary is, the more likely you are to receive compensation for all your out of pocket expenses. It is also worth keeping track of your mileage if you travelled by car between doctor and hospital appointments. This travel expense could be included in your claim.

Step 4: Provide a Written Description of the Incident to Your Employer

Some states require that in addition to notifying the employer of the injury, the injured must also provide the employer with an accurate and comprehensive written description of the injury and the events leading up to it.

The description should include the date of the injury, any witnesses to the injury, and a brief description of what occurred.

Step 5: Seek Legal Assistance

Securing compensation for a workplace injury means jumping through countless legal hoops. Even for someone with a strong case, the paperwork is confusing and there are important deadlines that cannot be missed.

The best way to navigate this legal minefield is with the help of a legal professional with experience handling workplace injury cases. Your legal attorney will help you gather evidence for your case, fill in the necessary forms, submit the paperwork, help you deal with insurance companies and ultimately secure you the compensation you deserve for your workplace injuries. At the very least, they are someone looking out for your interests at a difficult and stressful time.