I’ve Been Injured at Work. Now What?

Workplace injuries are a common problem in many careers, but most employees don’t expect their accidents to result in life-altering problems. The steps you take immediately following your injury could have a major impact on your health, career, and finances for years to come. That is why it is so important for all employees to know exactly what to do after an accident.

Your Health Comes First
Even if you are worried about legal repercussions or losing your job, you should seek out medical attention as quickly as possible. Depending on the injury, immediate care could mean the difference between a minor wound and a lifelong injury. This is especially true for head, neck, and back injuries. If you feel like you do not need to call an ambulance, then you can request to have a loved one or another employee take you to the proper medical care facility.

Fill Out the Proper Paperwork
As soon as you are able to do so, you will need to begin filling out paperwork for OSHA, your HR department, and your insurance provider. This should be done while the details are still fresh in your mind. While all of the information you give them should be truthful, a personal injury attorney located in Rockford Illinois recommends not oversharing when giving your report. It is perfectly acceptable for employees to ask to speak with an attorney first.

Contact an Attorney

We all hope that these situations will be handled quickly and fairly, but workplace injuries are a very touchy subject for many companies. If you feel uncomfortable at any point in this process or believe you are being treated unfairly, then you should immediately contact a personal injury attorney. Many employees find themselves dealing with harassing calls from claims adjusters and their managers while they recover, and it helps alleviate stress to have someone on your side negotiating with insurance, worker’s comp, and your employer on your behalf.

Save All Documentation
No matter how the situation is handled, you must save multiple copies of all documents and paperwork. You should ever rely on your insurance provider or employer to save these vital documents. You will most likely never need to use the paperwork at any point, but it should be kept for a minimum of seven years or until the claim is fully resolved.

A single injury can trigger a series of events that will impact you and your family for years to come. With the proper diligence and a little support, you can acquire the compensation you deserve to move on with your life.