2.8 million work injury incidents occurred last year. From slip-ups with power tools to accidents on the job, things happen.
However, a simple workplace injury can flip your entire life upside down. If you’re unable to work, how will you pay rent? How will you find another job?
After getting hurt at work, getting back in the groove may seem impossible. But it’s not! There are specific steps you need to take to maximize your chances of compensation. Keep reading to learn more.
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Injured at Work? Start With First Aid
This may seem like a no-brainer. But many employees think they can ‘suck it up’ unless it’s a visibly traumatic injury.
Think of it like getting in a car wreck. You’ll want to get checked out by a doctor. That way, you have medical documentation of a wreck-related injury for insurance purposes.
Even if you think you can tough it out, don’t! Getting injured at work is serious, and should be treated as such.
If you have medical insurance through your employer, use that for any initial first aid. It will help keep all provider or prescription costs in-network.
Put Your Work Injury in Writing
Once your immediate medical needs are taken care of, notify your direct supervisor and the Workplace Health and Safety Representative with the appropriate HSR training.
Make your report detailed, and don’t rely on verbal communication. Of course, having a face-to-face conversation with your supervisor about it, if you’re capable, is the right thing to do. But you should also put it in writing.
When making an injury report, include injury details and how it happened. You’ll need to do this within 30 days of the initial incident.
This changes a little if you’re dealing with a work-related disease, such as mesothelioma. You have two years after diagnosing the disease and connecting it to your work activities to do so.
This type of documentation makes a strong case for your work injury attorney.
Complete a Claim
Depending on the state you live in, and the circumstances of your injury, you may be able to receive benefits or obtain a work injury lawyer to file a lawsuit.
To receive those benefits, you’ll need to fill out a workers’ compensation form. Find the nearest Workers’ Compensation Board in your area, and contact them for further details. The specifics can change by state.
Contact a Lawyer
Sometimes, you need a workers’ compensation lawyer. Companies may be difficult about taking responsibility, providing benefits, or acknowledging your accident.
If this is the case for you, the situation may be desperate. Rent is coming due, your bills aren’t paid, and there’s still a global health crisis raging. You need money to pay your bills while you’re healing from work.
Receiving Compensation
If you need help, getting in touch with a proven lawyer who cares about their clients and has a strong track record of winning is crucial.
To start your work injury case off on the right foot, though, you need written documentation. Saving doctor’s notes, communication with your supervisor, and any other detailed information is a big help. If you want more information on doing this, check out our blog!
