Getting injured in a workplace is terrifying. Even though you have sustained a serious injury like a limb fracture, you’re scared that your employer will try to shift the blame on you or deny your claim outright. And you don’t know what to do next. But take a deep breath—you’ve come to the right place. We’ll walk you through how to file a successful claim for compensation after an injury at work and give you all the information you need to ensure you get what you deserve.
Inform Your Employer
You first need to notify your employer if you’ve been injured in a workplace accident. This is important for two reasons. First, your employer is required by law to report any workplace accidents resulting from injuries. Second, if you don’t notify your employer of the accident, they may try to deny your claim or argue that the accident wasn’t work-related. To ensure your employer can’t deny receiving notification of the accident, it’s best to write it.
Hire an Attorney
Consider hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to help you navigate the complex claims process, gather evidence to support your claim, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Moreover, the attorney will be able to:
- Estimate the value of your case: You need to know how much your case is worth. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney will be able to help you determine the value of your case and fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve.
- Handle all the paperwork: The workers’ compensation claims process involves a lot of paperwork. An attorney can help ensure that all the required paperwork is completed and filed on time.
Get Medical Treatment Immediately
Your health and physical well-being should be your top priority after sustaining an injury.
Watch out for these internal injury types:
- Internal bleeding: There might be a ruptured spleen, a torn blood vessel, or a punctured organ. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
- Hemorrhage: Bleeding from an injury may occur internally or externally. It may be due to internal hemorrhaging if you experience severe pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath after an accident.
Keep Detailed Records
After an accident, you’ll likely have to deal with a lot of paperwork—including insurance forms and doctor’s notes. It can be easy to lose track of all these documents. But it’s important to keep meticulous records of everything related to your accident and injuries. This includes keeping a copy of the accident report, all medical documentation, bills, and receipts related to your injuries, and any correspondence with your employer or insurance company.
Know the Workers’ Compensation System
The workers’ compensation system is a state-regulated program that benefits employees injured on the job. The system is designed to be a no-fault system, meaning that you can’t sue your employer for injuries sustained on the job. Instead, you’ll need to file a claim with the workers’ compensation system and provide evidence that your injury was work-related. This means having an accident report from law enforcement and medical documentation from your doctor.
File a Claim as Soon as Possible
Once you’ve been injured, you should file a workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible. In most states, you have just a few days from the date of your accident to file a claim. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to benefits.
Gather Required Documentation
You’ll need to gather important documentation to file a successful workers’ compensation claim. This includes the accident report, medical records, bills and receipts related to your injuries, and any correspondence with your employer or insurance company.
Be Prepared for the Claims Process
The workers’ compensation claims process can be confusing and overwhelming. But it’s important to remember that you’re not alone—some experienced professionals can help you through the process. The most important thing is to be prepared and to know what to expect.
Final Work
No one deserves to be hurt at work. But if you are, it’s important to know your rights and how to file a successful compensation claim. By following these tips, you can ensure you get the benefits you deserve.
