Hurt at Work? Take These 5 Steps Immediately
Millions of people are injured at work each year. While most of the injuries are fairly minor, there is also a large number that is quite serious and can even result in problems that can last a lifetime. If you are injured at work and the injury is serious enough that you have to seek medical treatment, you need to make sure you take the right steps. This not only means making sure that you are taking the right steps to receive the medical treatment you need, but also to protect your legal rights.
Seek Medical Care First
Whenever you are injured in any way, the first thing you need to focus on is getting proper medical care. This should always be the main priority because it will ensure your health long into the future. Legally speaking, however, it is also the right choice because if you delay seeking medical care, it can make the injury seem less serious, which could hurt any court case you pursue.
Follow Your Company Policies
Virtually every company will have set policies on how injuries on the job should be handled. Make sure you follow these policies and keep good records of what you do. In most situations, this will involve notifying your supervisor, filling out an incident report of some type, and keeping the company informed. Any meetings you have with your supervisor or HR should be documented to prove that they took place.
Document What Happened
As soon as you are able, document exactly what happened leading up to the injury and how you reacted. You can write this down, record it on your phone, or any number of other things. The sooner you are able to do this, the more accurate the information will be, which can be very helpful should any type of legal case be necessary.
File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Filing for workers’ compensation is important if you’re unable to go back to work. This will help you get the money you need to support yourself and your family while you are in recovery. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, it can take some time to get approved, so make sure to file for these benefits right away.
Follow Doctor’s Orders
If your doctor gives you medications, recommends physical therapy, or tells you to take any other action, make sure to follow their advice precisely. If you fail to follow the instructions of your doctor, it can hurt a legal case because it will seem like you don’t think that the injury is serious enough to follow doctor’s orders.
Talk to an Attorney
Whether you believe that you will run into any long term problems or not, you should talk with an attorney after any serious workplace injury. They will be able to evaluate your injury and let you know if there is any type of legal case that you should file. The longer you wait, the more difficult a legal case will be, which is why this should be done right away. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our experienced lawyer today.