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Injured On The Job? Steps You Should Follow After You Are Injured

If you are injured on the job, you are entitled to file a workers' compensation injury case. All employers are required by law to carry some form of workers' compensation insurance. After you are injured on the job, you may be confused about what steps you need to follow and whether or not you even need to file a workers' compensation claim. Here are the steps you need to follow after you are injured at work. 

Report the Injury to Your Employer

After you are injured at work, you will want to report the injury to your employer. This is extremely important, as your employer may not know you were hurt on the job unless you notify them. Once your employer is notified, they are to provide you with key information on filing a workers' compensation case. This information can vary based on the state you are in, but typically includes filing a form, information on where you can get medical treatment, and a pamphlet that helps guide answer many of the frequently asked questions you may have. It is important to report any type of injury to your employer, even if you think it is small. Reporting your injury the day it happens helps to get the process started and helps lend validity to your claim. If your injuries turn out to be larger than you thought, it may be tougher to file a claim down the road since the injury was never initially reported to your employer. 

Seek Medical Treatment

The next step you will want to take following a work place injury is to seek medical treatment. Depending on the state you reside in, your employer may be able to control medical treatment. This means that they can tell you which doctors or clinics you can treat with. When you notify your employer of your injuries, they will need to tell you then if there are certain doctors you can treat with. If there are, visit one of these doctors. If they do not provide you with this information, you can seek treatment with any doctor you may like. Always seek treatment immediately following your accident and do not put it off, as it can hurt your case. 

Have a Consultation With a Workers' Compensation Attorney

Lastly, take the time to seek out a consultation with a workers' compensation attorney. An attorney can help explain to you what to expect from your case, ensure everything was handled correctly and help advise you on what you should and should not say to the insurance company when they contact you. Consultations are typically free, so even if you are not sure whether you will be using a workers' compensation attorney, it is a good idea to have an initial consultation. 

If you were injured on the job, always be sure to notify your employer, seek medical treatment and then seek out a consultation with a workers' compensation attorney. Following all of these steps will help you be on your way to building a stable workers' compensation claim. 

For more information, reach out to workers' compensation attorneys like Bishop Dorfman Kroupa & Bishop PC.


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