While it’s never pleasant to get hurt, getting injured while at work opens up a whole other can of worms that you and your employer will have to deal with. Although it can be beneficial to have some protection legally through workers’ compensation, handling these claims in addition to whatever injuries you sustained can be a nightmare.
To help you get things figured out quickly so you can begin to heal, here are three things to do if you get hurt while at work.
Report The Injury ASAP
As soon as you sustain any kind of injury while at work, no matter how small, the first thing you should do is report what happened to your employer. Granted, if your injury was so bad that you needed immediate medical attention, reporting what happened can wait a day or two. But otherwise, it’s best to report the injury as soon as possible.
According to WorkplaceFairness.org, it’s best to report your injury in writing. Some states require you to report it in this way while other states allow for verbal reports. However, to ensure that nothing gets taken out of context and that everything that happens has a physical record behind it, it’s best to always file a written report with your employer to document what happened and start a record of the proceedings.
See Your Doctor
After you’ve been able to report your injury to your employer, you should be seen by a doctor who can help you get any treatment you need and provide you with medical documentation of your injury.
In some instances, you may need to see a doctor that’s been provided by your employer. If this isn’t the case or if you don’t think you’re given the best care, you should be seen by your own doctor as well. And, according to David Landers, a contributor to Nolo.com, as soon as you’ve given the green light to start working again from your doctor, you have a right to return to your work, so make sure you and your employer are aware of this.
Consider Getting An Attorney
If everything surrounding your injury starts to get complicated for you, which chances are it will, Aaron Hotfelder, a contributor to AllLaw.com, recommends that you hire or consult with a workers’ compensation attorney. Having this type of legal help and counsel will make the whole process much easier for you, since he or she will be well versed in these types of proceedings. They can help you get what you need, ensure you’re protected legally, and follow all the legal protocols required.
If you’ve been hurt at work, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you know how you should next proceed after sustaining your injury.
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