If you have been injured at work, you may be entitled to workers compensation benefits for your medical expenses and lost wages. However, in order to get fair compensation, you have to take the necessary steps after your work accident.
Here are the things you should do after getting injured at work.
Let Your Employer Know
The first thing you should do after a work accident is inform your employer. Tell your employer when and where you got hurt. If you have any safety concerns, let your employer know. They will have you fill out paperwork. In New York, employees are required to report work injuries within 30 days of the occurrence. If you report your injury after that deadline has passed, you may no longer be eligible for compensation.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
No matter what types of injuries you sustained at work, it is important to get prompt medical care. A doctor should diagnose your injuries and then recommend the appropriate treatment. Your employer may require you to go to a specific doctor. When you see the doctor, explain what happened and the symptoms you’re currently experiencing. Be completely honest with everything. If you have any pre-existing injuries, you need to let your doctor know from the beginning.
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
Whether your doctor advises you to take medication or go to physical therapy, follow his or her advice. If you don’t go to your follow-up appointments or stop your treatment prematurely, you can put your health at risk. Failing to follow your doctor’s advice can also jeopardize your workers compensation claim.
Collect Evidence
The more evidence you have, the stronger your workers compensation claim will be. The legal professionals at Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. may advise you to gather evidence from the accident scene as soon as possible. Take photos of the condition that caused the accident. It is also a good idea to write down everything you remember about the accident, such as where it occurred, what you were doing when it occurred and if witnesses were present. Describe how your injuries have affected your life thus far. For instance, if you have trouble sleeping at night because of your injury, jot that down in your notes.
File a Claim
In order to receive workers compensation benefits, you must file a workers compensation claim. Queens NY workers compensation lawyers can assist you with the process. Remember that fault is not a factor considered in workers compensation claims. Even if you got hurt because you were not paying attention, you are still eligible for compensation.
Hire a Lawyer
Workers compensation cases can be quite complex, so it is always wise to have an experienced lawyer on your side. A skilled lawyer knows how much your case is worth and will help you go after the compensation you deserve.
If you were injured at work, you should schedule a consultation with a workers compensation lawyer to discuss your case in detail.
