While many employers will say it’s best to avoid accidents while on the job, the simple truth is we don’t live in a perfect world and accidents aren’t always avoidable. They also need to be handled swiftly and with precise care. It’s important for injured workers to know what steps to take throughout their workers’ compensation claim process and to know what resources are available to them throughout.
Workplace Injury Checklist
The following checklist will help employees in the event of an injury caused by their job or work environment.
- Notify Employer: It is important to notify your employer or immediate supervisor as soon as possible. During this time, give them as much information as possible; such as where and how the injury was sustained.
- Seek Medical Attention: With the exception of emergency situations, injured workers should seek medical attention from a workers’ compensation medical provider. Doing so will help with maximizing your benefits. According to the New York State Workers’ Comp Board, employers in general cannot direct you to a particular provider. They can, however, give you a list of providers to choose from. In emergency situations, please seek help and treatment from the closest emergency department.
- Seek Representation: When filing your workers’ compensation claim, you should seek the advisement and representation of a knowledgeable attorney . Having someone with experience and dedication at your side throughout the duration of your claim can help create a smoother process.
- Treatment Schedule: Under the advisement and care of treating medical provider, it is advised to have a schedule in place that will help the injury heal to the best of its functioning ability. Following the treatment schedule to the best of your ability can help during the road to recovery.
- Keep Appointments: Whether you’re seeing your medical provider weekly or sporadically it is important to keep your appointments. Even if you’ve felt better, or you’ve felt like your range of motion has improved, keeping appointments helps ensure accuracy in your medical records which can help your case.
- Documentation: Never be afraid to ask for documentation, whether it’s a report from your doctor, billing information, or records from your employer. Having the proper documents in place showing a thorough background and history can help with your workers’ compensation claim.
- Communicate: This is very important and bodes well for your case. Keeping the lines of communication open for your medical care providers, attorney, even your employer, is best practice so that they know how you’re progressing and there are no surprises.
For more information about navigation your workers’ compensation case, and to have yours monitored and maintained, contact our attorneys today. For more than 20 years we’ve dedicated our practice to achieving the best results for our clients, helping them get on the road to recovery, and back to work.
