Three Steps To Take If You've Been Injured On The Job

Getting injured while at work can lead to medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial hardships. Knowing what to do after an injury can help you to get the compensation you are entitled to so you can recover and hopefully get back to work quickly. Here are a few things you should do if you become injured on the job.

Report The Injury

Companies and their insurance carriers may have requirements regarding when injuries need to be reported. If you fail to report the injury within that time frame, you may be unable to file a claim at a later date. Even if you suffer a minor injury, it's a good idea to report it. In some situations, injuries that seem small can be worse than you realize at first. Your employer may send you to an approved doctor or medical facility for an examination to determine the extent of the injury.

Seek A Second Opinion

While you can receive emergency treatment from the company-approved doctor, it's a good idea to follow up with your own physician later on. Your doctor knows you and your medical history best, and he or she may be able to offer additional insight about your condition. If your doctor provides a differing opinion than the company doctor, you should request documentation to support this. The documentation can be supplied to both your employer and your worker's compensation attorney. You may need to use this paperwork later on to prove your claim, particularly if you need to have medical treatment or tests performed due to the injury that the company doctor did not order.

Hire An Attorney

Worker's compensation claims can be complicated, particularly if you are seriously injured while at work. You'll want to make sure that all documents are filed properly, and your lawyer can help with this task. Your lawyer can also help you navigate the different types of compensation available to you and how to make the most of the benefits you are entitled. For example, your lawyer can help you file short-term or long-term disability claims as well as worker's compensation claims so you can cover the cost of medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages suffered as a result of the injury. In some cases, your lawyer may find that the injury was due to the negligence of a third party, which can result in a lawsuit filed against that third party for additional compensation.

Consult with an attorney, such as those at Wolter, Beeman, Lynch & Londrigan LLP, after you've seen your doctor, and begin working on a plan to recover from your injury and recover the monies lost as a result of the workplace injury.

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