While 424,000 people were injured by distracted drivers in 2013, there are also thousands of workplace injuries every year that require medical attention as well. These workplace accidents can lead to serious injury or illness and may require the employee to work with an attorney to seek workers compensation. Because workers comp can be a complex situation, this article is going to discuss three important steps to take after a workplace accident.
Seek medical attention:
The first thing you should immediately after the accident is to seek medical care. Even if you feel fine, it’s important to have a doctor check for injuries, both external and internal. Not only is seeking medical care important for your well-being, but this will also be important when it comes to filing a report of the accident. If you don’t receive medical care and later on discover an injury or illness related to the accident, this could hurt your chance of receiving workers compensation. Workers compensation laws generally require that the injured party seek medical attention after the accident, so it’s important to do so.
Report the injury to your employer:
The next step is to report the accident to your employer. Your employer should have a protocol in place to follow when an accident occurs at work. A written report of the accident, any injuries or illnesses sustained, medical forms, and any witness statements should be filed with your supervisor or HR representative. It’s important to report the incident as soon as possible, especially if you’re going to need a workers compensation settlement for your injuries. One of the most important things to remember is to never think an incident is too minor to report. Even a minor incident can cause injury or illnesses later on, and without that initial filing of the incident, you may have a difficult time getting your workers compensation. Because of this, you should always report your injuries as soon as possible.
Find an attorney:
After your report has been filed, the next step is finding a good attorney. It’s important to find an attorney because unfortunately, not all employers and insurance companies will have your best interest in mind. Whether your employer tries to deny your claim, deny your benefits, or try to tell you to work before you’ve recovered from the accident, a workers compensation attorney can help. Workers compensation is meant to help employees, and if you find an attorney to look at your case, you’ll only be further helping yourself.
Workers compensation can be complex and confusing. But if you follow these three important steps, you’re sure to get the benefits you need in order to properly recover from your accident.