What to Do If You Are Injured on the Job

Workplace injuries occur every seven seconds in the United States. That comes out to around 510 people getting hurt on the job per hour, or 4,080 people during a single eight-hour workday.

No matter how cautious you are, workplace injuries can and will happen.

Knowing what to do in the event of an onsite injury means putting yourself first, and we’ll show you how. Keep reading for tips on what to do if you’re injured on the job.

Above all else, make sure that you’re okay by calling an ambulance or having a coworker drive you to the emergency room. Even if your injury feels minor, small injuries can leave lasting damage.

In the case of whiplash, damage may not be immediately apparent, either. If ignored, symptoms can become far more dangerous.

Once a medical professional gives you the all-clear, your next course of action is to return to your workplace. Here, you’ll collect the proper details needed for your workers’ comp claim.

Take photographs around the accident scene. If there’s blood or other visible signs of the accident, have a coworker photograph it for evidence while you’re seeking medical treatment, as the scene may be cleaned by the time you return.

Once you’ve retraced your steps, talk to anyone who may have seen the accident occur. Or, if you were alone at the time of the accident, find out if there’s security footage of the occurrence.

You’ve got your evidence and now it’s time to fill out your workers’ comp claim. To do so, you’ll need to speak with your supervisor and a member of your company’s human resources team who will fill out an incident report.

Bring any corroborating details of the event with you, and if possible, stay with them while they create the claim so you can check for accuracy. It’s HR’s job to protect the company, so the more oversight you have over the claim, the better.

It’s also a good idea to ask for a copy of the claim for yourself, particularly if you’re considering taking legal action.

Finally, it’s time to lawyer up.

To strengthen your case, your lawyer will request that you make an appointment with a doctor specializing in workers’ comp claims. They should have recommendations for you, or you can find workers’ comp doctors through your insurance.

When meeting with your lawyer for the first time, bring everything with you that has any relevance to your injury. That includes your claim, photographs and written testimonies from your coworkers, footage, and a damaged uniform if possible.

Fighting for your rights boils down to proper documentation. If you can prove that your workplace was somehow negligent, you’ll stand a great chance at winning your workers’ comp case.

If you get hurt on the job, make sure to follow these tips. And check back for more content!