Hurt on the Job: What To Do When You Experience a Workplace Injury

If you have been hurt on the job, it is important to know your rights and what to do next. Workers’ compensation is a system that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. In this blog post, we will discuss the steps that you need to take to file a workers’ compensation claim and get the benefits that you deserve.

Notify Your Employer of the Workplace Injury

The first thing you should do is report the injury to your supervisor. Make sure that it is in writing and keep a copy for yourself. It may be a good idea to make more than one copy, so if you need them later on they will be readily available without having to go back through all of your paperwork from work. The more documentation you have, the better off you will be.

Get Immediate Medical Attention

If you are hurt on the job, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You should not wait to see if your injury gets better; instead, go to the doctor and get a diagnosis and treatment plan. Many employers have workers’ compensation insurance, which will cover your medical expenses related to the injury.

See a Doctor of Your Choice

You should see a doctor that is of your own choosing and not one chosen by your employer or their insurance company. Normally, can choose any medical provider within reason, as long as they are qualified to treat your injuries. If you do not know where to start looking, ask one of your family members or friends who recently has had an injury and get referrals from them.

Ask For Workers Compensation Benefits

If you are unable to work because of a workplace injury, you should request workers’ compensation benefits. These will cover some of your lost wages as well as medical expenses related to the injury while providing some peace of mind during this difficult time.

Keep Track of Medical Bills

It is also important to keep track of all medical bills and other expenses related to the injury. You will need to provide this information to the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company when you file your claim.

Workers’ Comp Claim Process: Employers’ Responsibilities

Several things must happen before a workers’ compensation claim can be approved. There is no limit on how much time it takes to resolve these matters, but there are deadlines for certain actions by both you and your employer’s insurance company or another responsible party (the “carrier”).

The first thing your employer must do is notify the workers’ compensation insurance carrier that you were injured at work. They must also report the date of your injury, where it occurred, and what type of job it was (e.g., construction worker). The second thing they must do is inform them how severe the injury or illness is so that they can determine if benefits should be paid out to cover lost wages.

The insurance company will then send the employer a packet of forms to fill out, which should include an Employer’s First Report of Injury or Illness.  The employer must complete and return this form to the insurance company as soon as possible.

Hire An Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney

In addition to the above steps, you may need to hire an attorney if your employer or their insurance company is giving you a hard time. You can find one by searching online for “workers compensation attorneys near me.” Contact them via phone or email with any questions that might arise while going through the process of filing for workers compensation benefits.

Call the Workplace Injury Lawyers at 270-444-0406 (Paducah) or 270-753-1529 (Murray). If you have been hurt on the job, call our experienced Kentucky workplace injury attorneys at Saladino & Schaaf today for a free personal injury consultation. We can help you through this difficult time and get the benefits you and your family deserve!