4 Things You Should Do Right After Getting Injured At Work

Accidents can happen anywhere – even in your workplace regardless of the safety measures implemented. And it can happen any time of the day.

For that reason, you need to make sure that you know what to do, in case something happens. It’s not only for your health but also for the protection of your legal rights. While it can’t do the damages done, it can still help lessen your stress, as well as your financial burdens, especially if your injury has stopped you from working for a while.

File an Accident Report

A lot of people just usually go straight to the hospital to get treated right away after getting caught in an accident. Some, on the other hand, would simply treat themselves with first aid and would then proceed to work again. But, apparently, it’s not always an ideal thing to do.

Yes, you may have a lot of work to finish. But seasoned personal injury lawyers in Spring Hill say that in some cases, numerous states only have very short deadlines where you must report what happened. This way, you’ll be covered under the compensation laws for workers.

Thus, even if you come home unscathed, you should still report it. This will also protect you if you don’t experience any symptoms weeks or months after the accident.

Aside from that, it’s also a must as it could make your employer implement new safety precautions that will prevent such an incident from happening again either to you or other workers in the future.

You’ll never know when you’ll need the protection that the report gives but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Consult a Doctor

Workers who are badly injured are automatically taken to a nearby hospital. But for others who feel less to no symptoms, they usually shrug it off and proceed to their work. But, in case you get injured, never try doing it.

Whether or not you feel anything, following an accident at work, you should still ask your employer if you can see a doctor. This is because no one will know whether or not you are badly injured inside. Thus, it’s always best to consult a doctor right away as they can run tests to see if there’s anything wrong inside your body caused by the accident.

Usually, companies are the ones who choose the doctor for their injured employees. It could be someone they personally know or they’re referred by the company’s health insurance provider.

Regardless, if you’re unsatisfied with the diagnosis and how everything went during your visit, don’t worry. Under the workers’ compensation laws, you might be entitled to a second opinion.

Report Injuries Immediately

Your employer is the one who needs to file a worker’s compensation claim on your behalf. And, needless to say, they wouldn’t know when to do that unless you let them know that you got caught in an accident while at work.

Don’t expect them to know everything that happened including the injuries you incurred. Don’t expect your co-workers to report on your behalf either as they might miss some vital pieces of information.

Rather, report your injuries as soon as possible to help them file a compensation claim for you. In case you already reported the accident but didn’t know that you were suffering from an injury, let your boss know as soon as you discover it.

Also, don’t forget to follow up to ensure that your workers’ compensation claim is filed and ask for a copy of it. It might help protect you in the future in case something happens.

Talk to a Lawyer

When talking about anything about the law, you can never go wrong consulting a lawyer. Prior to filing a claim, consulting a lawyer, particularly the one who specializes in workers’ compensation, is a wise idea as they can help you know more about the workers’ compensation claims.

Apart from that, they can also help you understand the situation better. And if anything happens, they can give you a helping hand in the court. They know the law like the back of their hand. Hence, they’re worth talking to.

Many people often overlook the importance of consulting a lawyer in such situations as they’re daunted by the costs of it. But, don’t worry, these days, it’s easy to find reliable lawyers who offer a free initial consultation.

No matter how much you and your employer strive to make your workplace as safe as possible, accidents can still happen. Hence it’s crucial to know what you need to do, not only for your health but also for your legal rights.