What You should do after an Accident at Work

Employers across all states are required to provide workers’ compensation to employees in some form or the other. However, workers must also take a few important steps to protect their legal rights.

Report all Accidents

Often times what workers do not realize is that in order to get compensation they must report the accident to the employer within a stipulated time frame. Compensation woes begin to arise when an injury surfaces days after the actual accident. But by that time the deadline for notifying your employer in order to receive compensation is already over. Workers compensation lawyers suggest that you must report every accident even if the injuries you believe are minor as soon as possible, if not immediately. 

Are you a doctor? You are not. What happens if the injury becomes worse? Do not assume. If the injury becomes worse after you return to work thinking that is not a big deal, now the insurance company can say you aggravated the issue and that is partially your fault. They will ask you home come you did not see a medical professional before you chose to return to work?  

Worker’s comp Laws Prohibit Lawsuits

Workers are entitled to compensation but are not allowed to sue their employers for workplace injury. The sunny thing is that workers can receive compensation even when they are responsible for their own injuries. However, workers are not entitled to damages if they were operating any equipment in an intoxicated state when the accident occurred. Many employers in a bid to prevent workers from doing so run periodic drug tests.

They even do this before you are hired. Employers want to see if you are drug free right then and there. We saw that in the movie Harsh Times with Jim Luther Davis (Christian Bale) who attempts to full the urine test by drinking vinegar before it. This is not advocated by anyone who is responsible. Davis was not that disciplined or law abiding.

Consult a Physician as soon as are Injured

If your injuries are extreme you must not defer treatment. Get to an emergency room immediately. There is no law that prevents you from doing so. Workers compensation attorneys suggest that if your injuries do not require immediate attention ask your employer if there is a state law mandating you to see a particular doctor for a particular type of injury or whether you can choose a physician yourself.

Many state laws have a list of authorized doctors for certain workplace injuries and you may be required by law to consult one of them. If you are not satisfied by the prognosis you can consult a second physician. Your worker’s compensation might not cover the consultant’s fee but it is always prudent to have your doubts clarified by paying that out of your own pocket. If you have separate health insurance then you can use the coverage to pay the fee.

Report Injuries as soon as they become Evident

Workers’ compensation lawyers explain that it is the employer’s responsibility to file the claim on behalf of the injured employee. They will not file a claim if they do not know that you are injured. As discussed above, if you have reported an accident but the injury became obvious after sometime, make sure to inform your employer immediately. Do not delay anymore! You have delayed enough.

It is also integral for employees to find out if their employer filed a claim or not and must insist on a copy of the claim.

If you are injured due to a workplace accident and have suffered financial losses, make sure to consult a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. Most legal pros do not charge a fee for the first consultation. Talking to a legal counselor is pivotal because you will learn about benefits you will receive and the steps you must take to secure adequate compensation for your pain and suffering.

Contact us if you have any questions about this. There are links above are there so you can reach us or press right here: Workers-Comp.USAttorneys. The website we built has saved many lives before by enabling them to find the right legal professional for the right reasons. This site does not proclaim to be righteous, it is righteous. Legal help is right around the digital corner.