Do you know what to do if you get hurt at work? The workplace is supposed to be a place where you can do your job safely. Unfortunately, work injuries occur more often than not. Statistics showed more than 5,000 cases in 2019, which was an 18 percent increase from 2018. Work-related injuries happen for many reasons, but that’s why most large employers have to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This benefit is supposed to supplement workers who have to spend time away from the job due to an on-the-job injury. Here’s what you need to do if you receive an injury at work:
Notify Your Manager Immediately
The first step you need to take if you receive a work injury is to notify your supervisor. Do not do anything else until you talk to your supervisor about the injury. The supervisor needs to document the injury and then file an accurate report. Do this even if you don’t feel as though your injury is that serious. In some cases, pain doesn’t set in until hours or days later. Your supervisor might be able to get some of your initial paperwork ready to send to the workers’ compensation insurance company.
See a Medical Examiner
The next thing you will need to see is a qualified physician. You have to talk to your supervisor about your choice of physician. Some employers require their employees to go to a physician appointed by the employer or insurance company. Other employers allow their employees to choose the physician they want to see. Again, you must talk to your supervisor about this part of the process.
The physician will evaluate you and let you know if you have a diagnosable work injury. The physician will also estimate your return to work date based on the severity of the injury and the treatment plan.
Doctors don’t always take employees out of work when they receive work injuries. Sometimes, their evaluation states that the employee can return to work on a “light duty” basis. If this is the case, you will have to return to your job and perform duties that are not as strenuous as your regular job. You cannot refuse to perform the light-duty work.
Ensure That Your Claim Is Filed
The next thing you need to do is ensure that someone has filed your workers’ compensation claim. The doctor’s notes and recommendations will go to the insurance company. The insurance company will then evaluate the case and let you know their decision. You will receive a portion of your regular work wages when you are healing from the injury if the insurance company approves your claim. Your payments will cease upon your return to work.
In some cases, the insurance companies deny workers’ compensation claims. They have various reasons for their denials. You have a right to talk to The House of Workers Compensation about your claim. You don’t have to take a denial sitting down. You can choose to fight for what you believe you deserve.
Visit an Attorney if You Have an Issue
A respectable attorney’s office can fight your workers’ compensation claim denial. They will evaluate your doctor’s notes, incident reports, and the events leading up to the incident. There will be no risk involved when you see the attorney. They will represent you on a contingency basis, which means that you may be eligible to delay paying the attorney for his or her services until the case is won. At that time, the attorney may have the right to collect a certain percentage of your settlement. This might be a positive arrangement for you if you don’t have much money to work with. Schedule your appointment today if you have been hurt.
