Accidents happen, and many of them occur on the job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 2.5 million nonfatal workplace injuries occur each year in the United States. That is why it is important to understand the steps to take after a workplace injury.
By knowing what to do, you can protect your health while also maximizing your chances of receiving full benefits through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).
The immediate steps to take after a work-related injury include seeking medical attention, reporting the injury to your employer, and gathering information related to the incident and your workers’ compensation claim. It can also help to discuss your situation with an experienced attorney.
What Is a Work-Related Injury?
Tripping and falling in the office is one example of a work-related injury, but the definition is much broader than that.
In the United States, an injury or illness is generally considered work-related when a workplace event or exposure caused or contributed to the condition. A workplace injury may also include the aggravation of a pre-existing injury or illness.
A work environment can include incidents occurring at a physical job site, as well as injuries involving equipment, tools, or materials used while performing your job duties.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Work-Related Injury
After a workplace injury, life may feel chaotic. Keeping the following steps in mind can help you prioritize your recovery while protecting your right to medical treatment and workers’ compensation benefits.
1. Get Immediate Medical Attention
If your injury appears serious, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if private transportation is available. Do not hesitate to seek emergency care if you have injured your head, back, or neck, or if you feel disoriented, experience vision changes, or feel faint.
Even if your injury seems minor, you should still seek medical evaluation as soon as possible. Depending on your employer’s workers’ compensation coverage and state law, you may be directed to an approved medical provider for treatment.
2. Notify Your Employer
Learn your employer’s policy for reporting workplace injuries. Most employers require injuries to be reported within a certain time frame.
Provide written notice of your injury as soon as possible. In many cases, workplace injuries should be reported within 30 days, although deadlines can vary depending on state law and company policy.
In your written notice, include the date, time, location, and circumstances of the injury.
3. Document the Facts of the Incident
Photographs can be extremely important. Take pictures of the location where the injury occurred as soon as possible. These photos should include any conditions or objects that contributed to the injury, as well as photographs of your injuries.
Witnesses may help verify how the incident happened. Obtain the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident.
Preserve any equipment, tools, or other work-related items that may have contributed to the incident.
You should also write down everything you remember about how the injury occurred while the details are still fresh in your mind. In some cases, it may be beneficial to speak with an experienced workplace injury attorney early in the process.
4. Document the Effects of Your Injury
Gather and keep copies of all medical records related to your injury. This should include emergency room records, physician visits, prescriptions, therapy records, and any other treatment documentation.
You should also maintain a daily journal describing your symptoms, pain levels, physical limitations, and how the injury affects your daily life. Include the dates symptoms appear and how long they last.
Additional Steps to Take After a Work-Related Injury
In the weeks and months following a workplace injury, focus on your recovery while continuing to protect your right to benefits.
Additional steps may include:
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and attending all medical appointments. Treatment may include rest, medication, physical therapy, or specialist care. If your doctor places restrictions on your ability to work, ask for those restrictions in writing and discuss possible accommodations with your employer.
- Monitor your symptoms closely. Some injuries, including concussions, may not produce noticeable symptoms until days or weeks after the accident.
- Contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer. Strong legal representation may improve your ability to recover the benefits you deserve.
Contact Our Cleveland Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today
At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we have decades of experience representing injured Ohio residents in workers’ compensation cases. We believe every person has the right to work in a safe environment and receive fair compensation for their injuries.
If you were injured on the job anywhere in Ohio, our workplace injury lawyers are ready to help you pursue all available benefits. Contact a Cleveland workers’ compensation attorney at our law firm today.
