Protect Your Rights: 5 Things You Must Do if You’re Injured on the Job

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In 2017, approximately 2.8 million non-fatal workplace accidents were reported by private employers in the United States.

While this is a scary figure, incidents like this are unfortunately not uncommon.

And so, as a worker, it’s best to know what you must do if you are injured on the job.

Injured on the Job? Here are our 5 Top Tips

If you’ve been hurt at work, follow the below guidelines for what to do next.

1. Report it ASAP

Make sure you report any accident or work-related illness at the earliest opportunity. This is crucial when it comes to making a potential claim later on.

As there could be legal ramifications following a workplace injury, employers will look for any loophole to not be liable for compensation or when it comes to admitting fault.

This means it is up to you to record a prompt and accurate report of precisely what has happened.

Whether you have had an oil rig accident or slipped at your office, it’s important to get this done fast.

2. Keep a Log

Things can become hazy over time when it comes to recalling what has happened. Especially in a stressful situation where a workplace injury is involved.

The best thing you can do is record precisely what has occurred at the time of the incident, when you reported it and what happens next.

This will include the medical attention you have since received, the cost of this, the mileage incurred for medical-related travel and other related expenses.

Keep a meticulous log for all visits to doctors and the treatments and medication required as a result of your accident or illness.

Log the costs and the days you are off work as a result of the incident.

3. Instruct Your Health Care Provider of the Nature of the Injury

When you first seek medical attention after the accident or illness, you must disclose upfront that the incident is work-related.

This must then be recorded by the doctor in his/her documentation. Not doing this provided loopholes for employers further down the line.

4. Write to Your Employer

Present, in writing, a notice to your employer detailing the date of the injury, what took place and what has taken place since.

All of this can be done by referencing the notes mentioned above, which you must keep. A copy of the notice should be retained for your own records too.

5. Speak to a Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Your accident or illness is likely going to lead to time off work to recover, which may involve a loss of earnings.

This, as well as the expenses and medical treatment you will have incurred, will need to be handled by an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.

Attorneys are specialists in this area of legal practice and they will guide you through making a potential claim, dealing with your employers and representing your best interests.

Research options – some are no win no fee, others are not. It’s up to you to hire the right fit for you.

Back to Business

Now you know what to do if you have been injured on the job, we hope you feel confident should it ever happen to you.

For the latest up-to-the-minute business news, be sure to keep an eye on our breaking business news page for important stories as they are announced.

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Melissa Thompson

Melissa is a mother of 2, lives in Utah, and writes for a multitude of sites. She is currently the EIC of HarcourtHealth.com and writes about health, wellness, and business topics.