What To Do Immediately After An Injury At Work

In some cases, workers who rightly deserve compensation for a work injury end up getting their claim rejected simply because the did not know the correct actions to take in the minutes, days, and weeks after their on-the-job accident took place.

• Don’t ignore your injury. Report it! It is common for injured workers to be embarrassed of their accident, fearful of getting in trouble, or simply stubborn about admitting they were seriously hurt. One worker may think that their knee or back will feel better in a few days, while another worker may think he will get fired for making a “mistake.” However, it is absolutely vital to your workers’ compensation case to acknowledge that you have been hurt and to report your injury to your manager. The longer you wait, the more difficult your case will become.

• Go to the doctor as soon as possible! While some workers will repot their accidents, others will delay a visit to a doctor or specialist – or not go to the doctor at all. A key factor in receiving workers’ compensation is having solid evidence of an injury. This evidence almost always comes directly from your doctor and your medical file. The longer you wait to visit your doctor, the more difficult it will be to tell the original extent of your injuries.

• Listen to your doctor! You must comply with your doctor’s orders after an injury. Not doing so could not only harm your health, but also your workers’ comp claim. If the doctor restricts heavy lifting, don’t do any. If she recommends bed rest, get to it.

• Speak with a lawyer, not the insurance company! Your company or their insurance company may try to get you to make a statement about the accident soon after it occurs. While this is normal protocol, it is imperative that you speak with a workers’ comp lawyer about your case before speaking with the insurance company. If you do speak with the insurance company first, just be sure to tell the complete truth.