Workplace injuries are not as uncommon as you may think. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed employers reported 2.6 million work-related injuries and illnesses in 2021. Fortunately, these workers are entitled to compensation benefits for medical treatment, temporary or permanent disability, and other losses.
However, before receiving these benefits, an injured employee has to follow the correct procedure, and failure to do so could affect their compensation claim. Here is what to do if you get injured at work.
Step One: Report an Injury to Your Employer
The first and most vital step is to notify your supervisor, boss, or employer of the incident. You should give this notice verbally or in written form, depending on the state. Please provide the information in written form or the presence of a reliable witness.
If you do not report the injury, your employer may deny your claims, which could ultimately affect your compensation. Some companies have strict deadlines for reporting injuries, so ensure you make your report within this time.
Always notify your employer of injuries even when they do not appear severe. Some injuries worsen over time, and not reporting them as soon as they happen could create an assumption that the injury occurred away from the workplace.
By reporting an accident, you are also notifying the administration of potential hazards at the workplace. With this information, they can respond appropriately to mitigate the risk.
Remember to report the incident to your union representative if you are a union member. Ensure you accurately fill out the accident report forms your employer or union provided.
Step Two: File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
After reporting the incident to your employer, they will provide a workers’ compensation claim form for you to fill out. This form contains details about the nature of the injury, where, when, and how it happened.
The type of forms to be filled out will depend on the state, the kind of illness, and the insurance provider. After filling out the compensation claim form, your employer will report the injury and file the claim form. Your employer is responsible for attaching all supporting documentation regarding your injuries, but your doctor is the one to submit a medical report.
Step Three: Receive Compensation
Once the insurance provider receives the claim, they approve or deny it. If the claims are approved, the insurer will notify your employer, who will, in turn, contact you with the payment details.
At this point, you may accept the payment offer for your economic and non-economic losses. Alternatively, you may turn down their offer and negotiate for a larger settlement to cover your losses sufficiently. Before doing any of these, hire an attorney to help you evaluate both options.
“If your insurer turned down your workers’ compensation claim, you can request a reconsideration from the insurance provider or file a formal appeal through the state worker’s compensation board,” says attorney Rich Godshall of Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers.
Step Four: Return to Work
Once fully recovered, you should provide a written notice to your employer and insurance company on the resumption of work. Most employers have a return-to-work program that enables workers to resume their formal roles quickly. The program may entail modified duties or training for other tasks if they cannot return to their former workstations.
Final Words
Employees have the right to workers’ compensation if they sustain an injury or develop an illness within the scope of employment. Always notify your employer of the accident or disease, as it kickstarts the filing process for compensation. If needed, hire a lawyer to help you with the process.
Remember, you will only receive compensation if you have an active workers’ compensation policy, are an eligible employee, and are injured in a work-related environment or due to work-related activities. Workers’ compensation does not compensate for injuries caused by intoxication, fighting, or injuries during commuting to and from work.
Media Information:
Ostroff Godshall Injury
518 E. Township Line Road
Suite 100
Blue Bell, PA 19422
(855) 375-6110
