When employees get hurt on the job, they can generally count on workers’ compensation to cover most of the costs. This system was designed to bypass the court system, allowing injured employees to get the compensation they deserve, while preventing the hassle of a lengthy legal battle.

If you’re an employee and you’ve suffered an injury on the job, you should act fast. There’s a time limit for workers’ compensation claims, and you’re generally required to file within 30 days of noticing the injury.

Steps to take after an accident

What you do right after an accident is important, especially if injuries are severe. If you think anyone involved may have serious injuries, get emergency medical attention, then notify your employer of the accident. Remember, not all injuries are obvious right after they happen.

Once everyone is out of harm’s way, you can start your workers’ compensation claim. This process has several steps:

  1. Reporting your injuries to your employer. This must be done within 30 days, except in very rare circumstances. Even if you don’t think that you were injured in the accident, leave open the possibility that you might have been. You may notice injuries later, and it may be harder to prove that they’re work-related if you’ve already denied it.
  2. Having your injuries evaluated by a medical practitioner. If you want the visit to be covered by workers’ compensation, you’ll have to let your employer choose the doctor. However, you can see your own doctor to get a second opinion if you’re not satisfied by the first evaluation. Whichever you choose, get copies of medical records.
  3. Filing paperwork. You may be asked to fill out a claim form immediately after reporting the injury. If not, you may want to request a claim form from the workers’ compensation board.

After you’ve done your part in reporting the injury, it’s your employer’s responsibility to file the claim with their insurance provider.

As an employee, you’re entitled to a prompt decision regarding your claim. If you’ve been unfairly denied workers’ compensation, or your claim isn’t being processed in a timely manner, you may benefit from legal counsel. We can answer questions and help you negotiate your claim. Contact our offices by phone, email, or text message today!