Steps To Take Immediately After a Work Injury

Workplace injuries are serious problems that affect millions of Americans every year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2.8 million workers suffered an injury or illness while on the job in 2022, a 7.5% increase from 2021. Both injuries and illnesses saw an increase year over year, with a 4.5% increase for injuries and a 26.1% increase for illnesses — the majority of the increase in illnesses was caused by respiratory illnesses, which saw a 35.4% rise compared to 2021.

If you suffer an injury at your workplace, it’s important to know the next steps you should take both at the moment and immediately following the incident. By staying prepared, you can not only potentially mitigate the long-term impact of the injury but can also set yourself up for a successful workers’ compensation claim and potential personal injury lawsuit to secure the compensation you need to support your family while you recover. Do the following:

Seek Medical Attention

The most important thing you can do immediately following an accident is to get yourself checked out by a medical professional. Not only will this help you outline a recovery plan to get you back to being healthy as soon as possible, but it will also give you a medical record that you can then use to argue your claim.

Report Your Injury to Your Employer

This should happen as soon as you are able. Depending on the state you are working in, there are different time limits for how long you can wait to report a work injury. For example, Wyoming requires that you notify your employer within 3 days, while New Hampshire has up to 2 years. Knowing how long you have to report an injury in the state you work in is important because missing that deadline can disqualify you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits.

Fill Out a Workplace Injury Report

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires most businesses to keep a record of serious injuries sustained while on the job. These reports both help workplaces keep track of workplace safety issues and can highlight reoccurring hazards that need to be addressed. If you suffered an injury at work, it’s in your best interest to fill out one of these forms, even if — and in some cases, especially if — your employer says that it’s not necessary.

File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

Once you have your medical and injury reports, you should file for your workers’ compensation benefits. Hopefully, this process is smooth and can be resolved quickly, but that’s not always the case. If your claim is denied, it is likely in your best interest to seek legal representation to fight for the benefits you deserve.

Speak With a Lawyer

Even if you don’t think there will be an issue securing the compensation you deserve, it’s a good idea to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to ensure that you are able to secure the maximum benefits that you are able to. Some injuries can keep you from returning to work for years, so ensuring that you have the financial stability to provide for your family is vital to your future.

Why It’s Important To Get Help If You’re Hurt on the Job

In some cases, a workplace accident can result in an untimely death. Like workplace injuries, workplace fatalities also saw a rise from 2021 to 2022. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 5,486 fatal workplace injuries in 2022, a 5.7% increase from the year before. In these tragic cases, spouses of the victim and their family can seek workers’ compensation death benefits, also known as survivor benefits. These benefits are meant to provide financial support to the workers’ dependents. However, these benefits do not preclude their spouse or family from potentially pursuing a wrongful death claim.

If you were seriously injured at work, it’s in your best interest to discuss your situation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer. Not only can they provide you with resources you may otherwise be unaware of, but they can also help you identify potential legal options you can pursue to secure the compensation you need to get back on your feet.