No one wants to be injured on the job, but if you are hurt at work there are laws to protect you and your financial future. Knowing what steps to take if a workplace accident befalls you is very important. If you take the proper steps right away, you can protect yourself and get the compensation you deserve. If you fail to act quickly, you could end up with thousands of dollars in medical bills.
No matter what type of accident you suffer on the job, it is important to notify your supervisor as soon as possible. Notifying your direct supervisor is one of your chief responsibilities, and if you fail to report the accident in a timely manner your workers compensation claim could be denied later on. First act by ensuring the incident is documented by a superior, second contact a workers compensation attorney to understand whether you should continue to work while your incident is processing.
It is also a good idea to obtain personal documentation of the scene as soon as possible after the accident has occurred. Make a copy of your supervisors signed report. If the accident was the result of a slippery floor or spill, take a picture of the scene to document the unsafe conditions. If you fail to adequately document and record the scene of the accident, the investigation could come down to a case of he said she said – and that could be bad news for you.
Writing a statement is also important, and you should do so while the events are still fresh in your mind. As soon as you are done taking pictures, you should write down exactly what happened. It is best to use your personal computing device (or a pen and paper), since the company computers technically belong to your employer. Having your own written documentation will make it easier for your workers compensation attorney to recreate the scene and understand exactly what happened and who is to blame.
Once you have thoroughly documented the scene and have taken pictures of the accident, it is time to go to your doctor for an initial assessment. Your boss may send you to a specific doctor, but you can still see your personal physician if you wish. It is important to get checked out even if you do not think you are seriously injured. There are laws in place to protect you from workplace injury and employer negligence, but you need to take some proactive steps to protect those rights.
If you feel you have been injured through no fault of your own, it is important to contact a workers compensation attorney as soon as possible. Contacting a top practicing attorney that specializes in workers compensation law is the best way to protect your rights and gain an understanding of the workers compensation process. Even if you think your injuries are not serious, it is important to protect your rights and your future earning power.
