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No matter the company you work for or the specific industry that you work in, a workplace injury can happen to you at any time that you are on the clock. You do have legal rights if you have to leave work or seek medical services after the accident occurs. These rights and standards are all contained under workers’ compensation laws that are necessary in most states for most businesses to have, unless you work for a family company. Continue reading below for four tips about what you should do the next time that you get into a workplace accident and face a work injury.
1. Report the Accident as Soon as Possible
If you are involved in a workplace injury, you need to file a report as soon as you possibly can. If you wait too long, your employer may not approve the claim for the workers’ compensation insurance, or the insurance company itself will not approve it. The proof of the matter is that you need to showcase that you were injured at work and waiting to file a claim could look fishy to others. Make sure, also, that every piece of information that you provide is as accurate as possible so that no one has any reason to doubt you. Any inaccuracies could be another reason that you could see your claim denied for compensation by the insurance company or your company.
2. Seek Medical Care and Be Honest
After your workplace injury, you need to seek out medical care as soon as you are able to. Again, you want everything in your claim to be as clear cut as possible and this comes with finding medical care when you need it. Make sure that you are honest with the doctor and tell him or her exactly how your injury or illness happened and the tasks you were completing. Not only will this allow them to provide you with the best care necessary, but they can ensure that they keep all records. The workers’ compensation insurance company holder often needs proof from the doctor that the accident occurred when you were at work or completing a work-related task.
3. Maintain All Records
As mentioned, insurance companies want the doctors’ notes to show that you were in a workplace injury to approve a claim. You need to make sure that you keep hold of all records too in case there is a discrepancy among your insurance policy. Start by making a copy of the note that you provide to your employer that provides the details of the injury and when it happened. Make sure that you have documentation of all of your medical bills and of any expenses you have had to pay thus far in regards to your industry. Make sure you know for yourself exactly how many days you have been out of work that you will need coverage for too.
4. Get Advice from a Legal Team
Even if you expect the claims process to go smoothly, it can still add stress to your situation. Sometimes, insurance companies try to use any of the information you provide to them to lower how much compensation you can receive. A work injury attorney can help you through the stressors that claims present and can ensure that you receive a fair compensation from the company. They can become a negotiator of sorts between you and the insurance company, and you can even appoint them as an assistant for the completion of any required forms. This can help you focus on your healing so that you can return to work as soon as you are able to do so.
5. Keep up with Your Health After a Work Injury
After an injury at work, it is of the utmost importance to make sure you are healing quickly and correctly. You can do this by not missing any doctor’s appointments and really listening to your body. You can even try physical therapy which many people find success in. It is also crucial that you don’t wait too long to get started on fixing your health. It is much easier to take precautions and put forth steps during recovery than it is after when your body has done what it can to heal. If you are not sure what course of action to take for your particular health problem, you can always get second opinions from other doctor’s. This can help you make a decision that is best for your overall health.
6. Communicate Efficiently with Your Healthcare Provider
You might have many doctor’s appointments to attend especially right after your injury takes place. Make sure you are in consistent communication with your healthcare provider so that you can get as many procedures or appointments covered as possible. It is best to call before you have a doctor’s appointment in order to double check that what you are going in for is covered. This will decrease the likelihood of unforeseen medical expenses throughout your recovery process. The last thing you need while healing is unnecessary stress. This can negatively impact your healing process because your mind and body will react to the stress. If you are not in enough health to contact your own healthcare provider, try asking someone close to you and you trust to do this for you.
7. Take Necessary Steps to Avoid a Future Work Injury
You will likely be tired after your injury. Typically, your body needs time to rest and heal. Take what your doctor’s say into high consideration. Especially if you can take preventative steps that ensure you won’t have to deal with the same pain again. It will be worth the time and effort now, versus sometime in the future. You can start with easy tasks daily such as stretching, taking a walk, and eating more healthy. These small things add up and will give your body the strength to overcome your pain. Your family will appreciate you taking the time to take care of yourself, After all, you can’t take care of others, if you don’t take care of yourself first. Remember, it is usually easier to take care of your body sooner rather than later.
If you are up for it and your doctor says it is okay, you can also try doing small workout sessions at your local gym. If you don’t want to pay for a gym membership, you can also easily find gym workouts online on Youtube. These are free and you can do it from the comfort of your own home. This way you don’t even have to drive anywhere and you can follow the instructor.
Final Thoughts After a Work Injury
Workplace injuries happen on a daily basis, and they can be overwhelming for anyone involved. If you want to get the compensation you need quickly, make sure to seek out care as soon as possible and consult with a lawyer who you can trust. Make sure that all of your paperwork is accurate and is turned in at an appropriate amount of time so that your insurance company does not take any of your money. Keep your employer in the loop too so that the company can remain on your side throughout the work injury process too.
