What to Do If You Are Injured at Work

No one ever really anticipates that they will be injured at work, but workplace injuries are a common occurrence regardless of what kind of industry you work in. Types of workplace injuries vary greatly, but the vast majority are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. This is a state-mandated program that helps to ensure you are financially compensated if injured within the scope of your employment.

Types of Workplace Injuries

Whether you are a metal fabrication machinist or a hair salon receptionist, there is always a risk of injury. Accidents happen even in the safest environments. It is important to pay close attention to the circumstances of your accident.

Common types of workplace injuries include those caused by:

* Slip and falls,

* Repetitive motion,

* Struck by moving objects,

* Overexertion,

* Struck by stationary objects,

* Electrocution,

* Falling from heights, and

* Vehicle accidents.

Each work injury situation is unique and should be treated as such.

What to Do If You Are Injured at Work

If you are injured at work, it is important to address the injury within a reasonable amount of time, or you may miss your window for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Make sure that you keep accurate records of the situation surrounding your injury and the steps you took after you were injured.

Seek Medical Attention

Your health is the most important thing in this situation. Make sure that you receive the help you need. Waiting to see a medical professional could actually hurt your chances of compensation. Tell your doctor or attending health care professional that you were injured at work. A doctor will be able to verify the severity of your injury, your physical limitations, and the injury’s likely cause.

Report the Injury to Your Employer

The sooner you can report the work injury to your employer, the better. It is also possible to make this your first step before even seeking medical attention. An employer cannot legally discriminate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. It is best to inform your employer in writing to have a record of the report.

File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Your next step is to file a workers’ compensation claim. In many states, this is actually done by your employer. This is another reason you should have a written record verifying that you informed your employer of the injury. The insurance company will then investigate your claim and decide whether to accept or deny it.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

If you are injured at work and your workers’ comp claim is accepted, you will be entitled to medical benefits, rehabilitation benefits, and wage loss benefits. Because there are so many types of workplace injuries, each settlement is unique.

Workers’ comp is a no-fault program, so employers do not pay non-economic damages. This means that you cannot receive compensation for workers’ comp pain and suffering through your workers’ comp claim.

A personal injury lawsuit provides an opportunity for greater compensation, but in most cases, you will not be able to sue your employer for a work-related injury, even if they were at fault. Nevertheless, you may be able to file a lawsuit against a negligent third party. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your options.