What To Do When You Are Hurt On The Job
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When you are hurt on the job, there are certain specific things you should do to protect yourself and your family.
The law requires that you report the accident in writing to your employer. You should immediately report the accident to your direct supervisor. Also be sure your fellow employees who work near your workstation know that you have been injured in an accident. Write down, and keep the names of all witnesses to the accident.
The steps set out above should be taken even if you do not think you were significantly hurt in the accident. In many cases, particularly with respect to back injuries, the injured worker does not realize until much later that the injury is significant.
Many valid claims have been denied because the worker did not report an accident to the supervisor and co-workers were not aware that an accident has occurred.
When you report the accident to the supervisor, ask for an examination by the “company doctor”. The law gives the employer the right to choose the health care provider for the injured worker. If the employer refuses to provide medical care, consult your own doctor. Chances are, you can get your health insurance carrier to pay for medical expenses if the employer denies the claim and refuses to provide medical care. If the employee eventually wins the workers’ compensation claim, the employer will have to pay for all medical care given the employee even though the employer did not choose the doctor.
Be sure to tell your doctor that you were hurt on the job and give specific details of the accident to your doctor.
If your doctor instructs you to stay out of work, be sure to get a note from the doctor to your employer verifying that fact. Before you deliver this note to your employer, be sure to make copies of the note for yourself. If there is ever a dispute about to whether you were able to return to work, these notes will protect you. Without a written note from the doctor, you are at risk of not getting workers’ compensation benefits during the time you are out of work.
Keep your employer informed of your medical treatment and when you anticipate that you will be able to return to work.
Your employer is required to pay you two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you are out of work. (Subject to a seven day waiting period) If your employer refuses to pay within fourteen days after the injury, contact a lawyer immediately.
If your employer does pay while you are out of work, be sure you are paid for any permanent disability you have as a result of the accident.
If you have any question about your workers’ compensation claim, call Brent Adams & Associates. There is no charge or obligation.