I was injured at work, what should I do?

 First, report your injury immediately to a manager, supervisor or administrator. While you have ninety days to report an injury, it is best to report it immediately. This helps to specify the date and helps document the facts of what happened. As time passes, your memory will not be as good as to the specifics of how you were injured. Immediate reporting also helps if you have to prove your injury is work related. It is best that your report be in writing so that is properly documented. This written documentation will help to show that you did report the injury, how you were injured and what injuries you had. This documentation can also help refresh your memory as you proceed forward with your workers’ compensation claim. Do not trust that your manager, supervisor or administrator will document everything when you tell them. 

Second, report all injuries or pain that you are feeling, even if it seems minor. You need to report all pain and injuries. Minor injuries can often seem as if they are not a big deal and will improve in no time. However, these injuries can linger and are often signs of something more serious. Many people focus on the worst of their injuries and later down the road realize that the minor injuries are worse than they thought. If you fail to mention these injuries early on, then you will likely have a much more difficult task getting these injuries covered through workers’ compensation. 

Third, talk to your employer and their workers’ compensation carrier about who to see for treatment. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier initially chooses what doctors you see. If you choose to see a doctor on your own, your treatment may not be or get covered. Also, do not refuse treatment. Refusing treatment with or recommended by the doctors chosen by the workers’ compensation carrier can severely hinder your workers’ compensation claim and likely end your right to medical treatment paid for by the workers’ compensation carrier. Also, make sure to follow the instruction of the doctors. You do not want to be found non-compliant with the recommended treatment. Again, your claim can be severely impacted.     

Fourth, if the doctors release you back to work or put you on light duty, do not refuse to return to work. Refusing to return to work will most likely lead to your termination. You want to put yourself in the position of doing what you can to return to work or at least show that you are willing to return back to work. It is possible that the doctors will release you back to work even though you know you have ongoing injuries that interfere with your ability to work. When this occurs, you should immediately contact an attorney to discuss what can be done and to help fight to have those ongoing injuries treated and compensated.

Finally, it can be difficult dealing with workers’ compensation insurance carriers and the people who work on their behalf. You may feel that you are being treated unfairly or that your needs are being ignored. Contacting an attorney will help you to know your rights and determine if you need an attorney’s services. Having an attorney can help relieve some of the stress and pressure you’re under. We are used to dealing with insurance companies and know what needs to be proved to get fair and proper compensation. We can provide guidance when dealing with issues that arise from being injured. We can help to ensure that your damages and injuries are properly documented and addressed. Contacting an attorney as soon as practical is one of the best ways to protect your rights.

If you would like to speak to one of our attorneys here at Salley Law Firm, P.A. in Lexington, SC please do not hesitate to call us at 803-356-5000 or toll free at 1-800-321-6125.