It doesn’t matter if you work in an office setting, on a construction site or are in the field all day, it’s critical that you take the necessary steps in protecting your safety.
Unfortunately, even if you’re careful about avoiding trouble at work, there could come a point when you suffer an injury.
Here are a few key steps to take after a workplace accident:
- Stay where you are: Don’t attempt to walk off the injury or put it on the back burner until the end of the day. Stay where you are, assess the severity of your injury and then call for help. Depending on the severity, you may need an ambulance to transport you to a local hospital for treatment.
- Notify your employer: It’s best to immediately notify your employer of your accident, as this makes it easier to prove that you were injured at work. If you wait too long, you give your employer more wiggle room, as they may suggest that you were injured outside of work.
- Track your treatment: Keep detailed notes regarding your treatment, medical records, medical bills and long-term prognosis. This information will come in handy when filing a workers’ compensation claim.
- File a workers’ compensation claim: If you find that you’re unable to immediately return to your job, you’ll want to file a workers’ compensation claim so that you can receive money during your recovery. Even though your workers’ compensation payments won’t equal your salary or hourly wage, it’s better than receiving no money at all.
Regardless of the cause or severity of your accident, your health and well-being is top priority. If you immediately turn your attention away from these details, you could end up putting your health at risk, thus making it more difficult to make a full recovery.
In the event of a workers’ compensation denial, learn more about your legal rights and the next steps in the process. Even though it will slow you down, you can file an appeal with the hope of having the original decision overturned. Keep up the fight until you receive the compensation you deserve for the injury you suffered on the job.