If you’ve sustained an injury at work, your actions following the incident can significantly impact your future. Your life can change dramatically after a work-related accident injury, and you may worry about several issues, including medical bill payments and suffering from severe pain.
However, you have the right to workers’ comp benefits for your possible disability, medical expenses, and lost wages. But receiving these benefits depends on how fast you act and take steps after suffering an injury or illness.
This article sheds light on work-related injuries, steps to follow after a work injury, and relevant information on filing a workers’ compensation claim.
What Are Work-Related Injuries?
If you were involved in a workplace accident, you might wonder whether or not your injury is work-related. Work-related injuries or illnesses are conditions that develop as a result of your job or happen while you are working.
These injuries are related to your primary assignments at your workplace and are classified into three groups:
- Occupational illnesses
- Physical injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries, like the carpal tunnel syndrome
Steps to Follow After Suffering an Injury at Work
Inform Your Supervisor
Always report any work injuries to your supervisor right away. Even if you are able to continue working. Provide them with the incident details so they can review your rights and guide you.
It’s essential to inform your supervisor, regardless of the injury’s severity. They’ll provide you with paperwork to make an official report of your injury and file it in a timely manner which is required.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your Health Should Always Come First
Never regard any injury as minor. Workplace injuries can alter your life if you are not careful. Seek medical care immediately after filing an accident report. The most common occupational injuries occur due to falls or traumatic impact, and you may not feel anything for a few days.
Visit the nearest emergency room, medical facility, or a doctor that satisfies your employer’s workers comp classification.
Please know you are always allowed to seek a second opinion under workers’ compensation law if you feel your initial consultation was not comprehensive. Also, it’s always smart to track all diagnoses given, tests ordered, and dates of doctor visits for insurance claims as well as to fully understand what is happening with your health.
Always ask your doctor to explain why a test is being done and what the results are, and what the next steps in treatment are based on the test results.
Sometimes work injuries result in new medical conditions and problems. Sometimes they worsen pre-existing conditions. Both require treatment and medical care.
Gather Evidence of Injury or Illness: But Don’t Forget About the Legal Side
Given the state of our healthcare system, all work-related injuries have to be proven. This is to prevent fraud.
So, if you are suffering from a work-related injury or illness, obtain and document clear proof surrounding the work injury.
This means noting down exactly what happened, why it happened, when it happened, who was there, and most importantly, how can it be prevented for others working in the same situation as you were.
Many times, because this data is lacking, the Worker’s Compensation Insurance will not recognize the claim, and the assistance of a worker’s compensation attorney may be needed.
For instance, you may suffer a repetitive stress injury when you perform specific tasks over an extended period. Aside from injuries, work-related illnesses and some occupational diseases are also under workers’ comp coverage, and you may be eligible for compensation under workers’ comp laws. But the repetitive stress or occupational hazards have to be clearly documented.
Consider Consulting an Attorney
In some instances, you may consider consulting an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer following a work-related accident. Your attorney can help you handle paperwork regarding your workers’ comp claim to make sure that you follow the legal process and receive fair compensation.
If using a worker’s compensation attorney, notify your doctor right away. Certain situations require doctors to release medical records to attorneys and insurance carriers, and knowing who is authorized or not to have access to your healthcare information is critical.
Most Importantly, Follow The Treatment Plan
Remember, you’re eligible to receive compensation covering medical care for work-related accidents and for lost wages while you are recovering.
So track the days you missed work due to your condition. Workers’ compensation law allows employees to receive weekly replacement wages.
Review your treatment plan with your doctor and follow up regularly for interval revaluations as your doctor screens for new developments consequential to your initial injuries as well as monitors for clinical improvement over time.
As You Get Better and Return to Work: Help Prevent Future Work-Related Accidents
Speak with your co-workers after suffering a workplace accident. Though you can’t share your medical information, you can listen to their concerns regarding the work environment and gather enough information to present to your employer to prevent future on-the-job accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Injuries
Could a Non-Work-Related Injury Happen at Work?
There are situations where an accident at work wouldn’t be considered work-related. Such instances include:
- When a staff member is present at work as a member of the public rather than an employee
- If the accident happened from voluntary participation in a fitness, medical, or recreational activity
- Injuries a staff member suffers while undertaking personal tasks unrelated to their workplace employment duties outside stipulated working hours.
Is an Injury Work-Related if I’m Commuting?
No. Workers comp doesn’t cover injuries sustained by employees while commuting to and from work. But there are a few exceptions. Perhaps you were in the scope of employment while driving; your injuries may pass as work-related.
Contact Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. After Suffering a Workplace Injury
The consequences of an injury can be life-threatening. However, seeking proper medical care can prevent long-term pain and suffering. At Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C., we work to assess and provide tailored treatments for these injuries.
Our primary focus is injury treatment and prevention of secondary injuries that could affect a patient’s lifestyle. We offer treatment, diagnostic, therapeutic, and telehealth services. Our team of doctors is vast in addressing all forms of work-related injuries.
Our doctors accept workers’ compensation insurance, no-fault, and most other health insurance plans.
Don’t ignore your health. Contact us at (347) 602 – 9530 or email us at info@neuroinjurycare.com to get the best medical service for your injuries.
