If you are injured on the job, your health and well-being should take priority over everything else. Only after you’re stabilized can you learn more about the cause of the accident, your legal rights and the impact of your injuries on your future.
Here are some simple steps to take if you suffer an on-the-job injury:
- Obtain first aid: Don’t wait a single minute to obtain medical assistance. In some cases, you can treat an injury on your own until help arrives. Just the same, you may need to ask a co-worker to assist you. Regardless, first aid until an ambulance arrives is of utmost importance.
- Notify your company: The easiest way to do so is to discuss the incident with your supervisor. Let them know what happened, your role and that you suffered an injury as a result. Do this as soon as possible, as you don’t want to give your company any reason to believe you were injured outside of work.
- File a claim for workers’ compensation benefits: If applicable, learn more about the workers’ compensation system. If approved, you can receive financial benefits until you’re able to return to work.
Along with the above, continue to follow your doctor’s instructions until you make a full recovery. At that point, you may be able to return to work at your previous capacity.
If you run into trouble along the way, such as in the form of a workers’ compensation denial, learn more about your legal rights. You should never give in and miss out on money that is owed to you.