Most state laws require that all employers have workers’ compensation insurance to cover any possible injury that an employee may encounter on the job. Many states also have requirements on how long an employee can wait to report an injury. Read about the important steps that should be taken if you are injured on the job.
- First and foremost, report this incidence to your employer immediately. Do not wait, or they could claim that the injury was not acquired at work.
- Next, make certain that your employer fills out an accident report. Include all details about exactly what happened, when and where.
- See a doctor immediately. If your injury warrants the emergency room, then by all means, make the trip to the nearest hospital or call 911. Otherwise, ask your employer questions regarding a doctor. Do you need to see one of their doctors or are you able to decide which doctor you would like to go to? If you have medical insurance, you may decide it’s in your best interest to go to a doctor that you prefer. Either way, get medical care and follow through on the doctor’s instructions for care of your self. If you don’t, you may run into problems when it comes to collecting workers’ compensation.
- Find a workers’ compensation lawyer. If you do not feel that your employer is responding as they should or that your medical needs are not being met, find an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in your area to help guide you through this difficult process.
Do not let your employer tell you that your injury is your fault and is not covered under workers’ compensation. Find a qualified lawyer in your area.