Help! I’ve Been Injured On The Job, What Do I Do Next?
Brian O Sutter
Workers’ Compensation
No matter what industry you work in, workplace injuries can happen. Whether you sit behind a desk all day or are doing large-scale construction. When you’ve been injured as a result of the normal duties of your job, you are protected by workers compensation. However, in order to make sure that you get the compensation you need to get the medical attention and heal from your injuries, there are some steps you need to take following the accident. Here are the steps to take to help you protect your rights:• Seek Emergency Medical Attention: If the accident has caused severe or catastrophic injury, you need to immediately call 911 for emergency medical care. No matter the circumstances behind your accident, if you need immediate medical attention, get it. Your health is the most important thing.
• Report The Injury To Your Employer: As soon as the accident occurs, you need to report it to your employer. Even if you seek emergency medical care, you need to tell them as soon as possible. Tell your director, supervisor, HR professional, or whoever you report to directly to of the incident. If you have developed a chronic illness such as repetitive stress disorder or mesothelioma, you need to contact your employer as soon as you are diagnosed. Most employers have workplace accident documentation that you will need to fill out to report the incident. Fill this out as best as you can and keep a copy for your own records.
• See Your Physician: If you haven’t had to seek emergency medical treatment, once you report the accident, you need to see your physician immediately. Not only is it important for your health, but seeing a physician immediately will connect any injuries directly to the workplace accident. This documentation is invaluable when seeking compensation for your injuries. Get a copy of the medical record from your visit and any subsequent treatments to help document the full extent of the injury.
• Document Any Time Off: Keep records of any time off you have had to take for your injuries. That includes both days for medical visits and treatments, as well as, recovery days. By law, you will be compensated for your time off as a result of your injuries. If your injuries are very severe and have caused long-term or temporary permanent disability, you may also be entitled to compensation.
• Document Any Impact On Your Capability To Work: You want to document more than just your time off. If your injuries are so severe that you can no longer conduct your normal job functions or have to find an entirely new career, keep records of this change. The impact on your ability to work is also covered by worker’s compensation benefits.
• Speak With A Workplace Injury Attorney: The law surrounding workers compensation is very complex and getting the full compensation you deserve can be very tricky. We’ve seen everything from insurance companies pay less than the full value of the claim to employers outright lying about the circumstances leading to the injury. Even after minor accidents, it’s always a good idea to at least consult with an attorney to understand your rights.
At All Injuries Law Firm, we have over 30 years of experience representing workplace accident victims in Southern Florida. We know our way around the legal and can help provide the evidence and documentation needed to get you a fair settlement for your accident. If you decided to hire us, we will handle everything. That way, you can relax and focus on healing and getting back to your normal life. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about your rights after a workplace accident.