WHAT TO DO IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU’RE HURT ON THE JOB

Most of us don’t ever plan to get injured at work, but it can happen to any of us! Whether you work in an office or at a construction zone, workplace injuries can happen in any industry. Since we all run the risk of getting injured on the job, it is in our best interest to be prepared and understand what we should do if such an event did occur. 

While most employers are required to carry Worker’s Compensation insurance in an effort to take care of their employees, it is important to know what steps you need to take as an individual to look out for yourself as well.

It can be a grueling process to work with insurance companies as you try to get compensated fairly. Read below for an overview of simple steps to take after getting injured at work that can help you get the compensation you deserve. 

Report your Injury to Your Employer in a Timely Manner

If your injury requires immediate first aid medical assistance, please do seek medical attention as soon as possible. However, you also want to notify your employer as soon as it is safe to do so. The sooner you speak with your employer, the sooner you can begin the process of seeking compensation. 

Be sure to be as thorough as possible when reporting the incident. Include all sustained injuries and as many additional details as possible, if your claim is denied, this can be incredibly helpful information for your case. 

Obtain Necessary Medical Treatment

You may need to work with your employer and the insurance company to determine authorized doctors that you can see and what medical treatment would be covered. 

Depending on your employer’s insurance policy, there may be specific requirements when it comes to medical treatment. With certain programs, such as Preferred Provider Organization or Alternate Dispute Resolution, there may be extra hoops to jump through and stricter guidelines relating to treatment options. 

Your doctor will give you guidelines on returning to work as well. Be sure to follow their instructions. Your employer may offer you a position at a lower wage and if your doctor gives you the go-ahead to return to work and you do not, it could be considered a voluntary loss of income. 

Complete a Full Claim

Here in the State of Florida, employees have 30 days from the date of the incident to file a worker’s compensation claim for most of their injuries. (FCFO) 

If an illness or medical condition develops over time, you must notify your employer within 30 days of discovering its relationship to your work.

When talking with your employer and filing a claim, be sure to include:

• when the accident occurred
• how you got injured, and
• what symptoms you are experiencing.

Missing these important deadlines could result in losing some or all of your benefits. 

Speak with an Attorney

You may feel overwhelmed with this process as there are a lot of important details to keep in mind. It can be helpful to speak to an attorney regarding your case, especially if your claim is denied. 

You truly have nothing to lose by meeting with an attorney. Here at Pipas Law Group, we have extensive experience dealing with Worker’s Compensation. Feel free to reach out to us for help, whether it be understanding the specifics of your case or getting fair compensation after a denied claim.

We are here to help. Call today 727-888-3925.