Whether you work in an office or you are working a busy conveyer belt in a warehouse, you might get hurt on the job. Your first instinct might be to brush it off to avoid making waves and keep going, but is that what will be best for you in the long run? If you get hurt on the job, you should know what to do and get the compensation you deserve.
Report It
After you get hurt, the very first thing you should do is report it to your employer. Every workplace has different procedures for reporting the accident, but you are always best off putting it in writing. Sending an email is an easy way to inform your boss while keeping a record of the communication. If you tell your boss in person, keep a log of the date and time you told him. Iowa workers compensation law in most states allows you up to 10 days to report the accident, but you’re better off if you report it immediately.
Seek Medical Care
When you’ve been hurt, you don’t know the extent of your injuries. You might consult a search engine, but that will likely just diagnose you with cancer or Alzheimers. You need to seek immediate medical care to start any treatments you might need and understand the full extent of your injuries. In some states, employers do have the ability to request that you see their doctor so that they can get a second opinion about your diagnosis. However, you are not required to use their doctor to undergo treatments.
Keep Records
It is vital to your case for you to keep accurate records of everything that happens to you because you might qualify for a few different types of worker’s compensation. At the very least, your records will be a massive benefit if your employer tries to fight the claim.
Keep track of every medical bill, whether from a doctor, lab, or chiropractor, and every medication or piece of medical equipment you had to buy. Additionally, don’t rely on your employer to keep track of the days that you missed work. Keep your own record and submit it when you file your claim.
Hire a Lawyer
When you’re recovering from an accident, you want all the help you can get. An attorney can handle the case details and take the stress off you, whether you think you’re not getting a fair settlement or your case was denied. Additionally, lawyers understand the tactics and manipulation that employers can use to force an employee to accept a settlement, and they’ll fight against it.
