Here are the first steps you should take if you are injured on the job:
- Report the injury to your employer
If possible, report the injury in writing and keep a copy of the report for personal records.
- Complete a claim form
No matter how your employer learns of the incident, it must offer you a claim form immediately. Until this claim form is completed, the employer has no obligation to provide you benefits. Make sure the claim form is filled out completely and specifically. Keep a copy of your completed claim form. Once your employer receives your claim form, it is then the employer's responsibility to immediately notify its workers' compensation insurance company and arrange medical assistance for you.
- File the claim as soon as possible
If you are seeking to claim workers' compensation benefits, you should do so quickly. Any delay on your part could lead to potential snags or delays in receiving benefits. Immediately reporting injuries and filing a claim as soon as you decide to seek compensation increases the likelihood that benefits will begin quickly.
If a dispute should arise regarding the claim, you can seek help from the workers' compensation commissioner's office in your state, but you may also want to contact an experienced workers' compensation attorney.
Conclusion
The workers' compensation system of laws is designed to provide a straightforward method for employees to receive compensation for work-related injuries. However, workers' compensation laws vary from state to state, and have quite specific procedural requirements. To ensure that you receive proper and just compensation, it is advisable to contact an experienced workers' compensation or personal injury lawyer soon after you are injured.
