When a person experiences an injury at his or her place of employment, there are several actions that should be taken in order to ensure you have properly completed the steps for a workers’ compensation case.
Continue reading for these four steps:
Step 1: Notify your workplace as soon as possible
In most states, an individual has 30 days or less to inform their employer. Honestly though, why wouldn’t you inform them as soon as it occurs? This increases the validity in your statement.
Also, you are more apt to recall more accurately what happened. You can notify your employer verbally, but it is vital that you put it in writing as well.
Step 2: Seek medical attention immediately
Some employers will have specific doctors they request you to see. You can see them as well as a doctor of your choice for a second opinion. Always be honest with the doctor and do exactly as they instruct you to.
Any delay in seeking medical attention can be used by the insurance company to defeat your claim. This is especially true when an injury that seemed minor turns into more of a major problem.
Step 3: Be honest with the physician
Tell the doctor exactly what occurred and make sure they document properly. Cases have been won or lost based on inaccurate medical records.
Step 4: Seek legal representation
It may be in your best interest to hire a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to guide you through this difficult situation and make certain you receive the compensation that you deserve.