Employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment. However, accidents can happen. There is a whole process to go through when managing workplace injuries. As such, you must know what to do when you become injured on the job to receive the proper settlement.
Report the Injury Right Away
You should report your injury right away. Although it depends on your state’s workers’ compensation laws, employees typically have 30 days to report any accidents. Do not suffer through your tragedy—there is no retribution for delaying or not reporting your accident. It will look more suspicious to employers if you file a report long after your incident. Regardless if your injury is minor or major, you should immediately notify your workplace.
See Your Doctor
You should see your doctor soon after your accident occurs. Make sure you report all injured areas—do not leave out any important details. You should go to your primary care physician and not one sponsored through your place of employment. A sponsored doctor will likely minimize the seriousness of your injury or identify it as a preexisting condition. They may even release you back to work earlier than you should return.
File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
You have the right to file a claim, especially if you miss any workdays—you should receive compensation for pay you would have accumulated in your time off. Record all your missed days as well as any travel and out-of-pocket expenses. You will have to file a form for your employers, your healthcare provider, and your own records.
Seek Proper Legal Representation
You should contact a lawyer at any time if you are unsure of the process. This is especially important if you plan on going to court. Civil lawsuits for work-related injuries may require claims to personal injury damages. The benefits of compensation from work injury forms generally reimburse any medical expenses and lost wages. It is a bad idea to take on any settlement without legal representation. A lawyer will help deal with insurance companies and employer responsibility.
Collect a Settlement
Assuming you win your personal injury or workers’ compensation case, you should collect a settlement. However, this process is often confusing. You are able to opt for a lump sum settlement, which means you will receive it all at once. You can also accept a structured settlement, meaning you receive sums in a series of payments over time.
