Getting injured on the job can be a very frightening experience. Not only are you dealing with the pain and discomfort of your injury, but you’re also worried about how it will affect your job and your ability to earn a living. One of the most important things you can do if you’re injured at work is to report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. This is important for a number of reasons.
It Helps You Get the Medical Attention You Need
Medical insurance companies often require that an injury be reported within a certain time frame in order to process the claim. If you wait too long, your employer’s insurance company may refuse to pay for your medical treatment.
In addition, if you don’t report your injury right away, it may be more difficult to prove that the injury occurred at work and was not due to a pre-existing condition. Additionally, seeking medical attention promptly can help you recover more quickly and avoid complications from your injury.
You May Be Entitled to Workers Comp Benefits
If you’re injured at your workplace, you may be able to receive workers compensation benefits, which can help pay for your medical treatment and replace part of your lost wages. However, in order to receive these benefits, you must report your injury to your employer.
When you do that, your employer will likely require you to fill out a workers’ comp claim form. This form starts the process of determining whether you’re eligible for benefits and how much you should receive.
It Helps Protect Your Job
If you’re injured at work, your employer may be required by law to provide you with certain accommodations, such as modified duty or light duty, so that you can continue working while you recover. However, your employer is only required to do this if they’re aware of your injury.
For instance, if you hurt your back lifting a heavy object at work, but you don’t tell your employer about the injury until after you’ve been out of work for several weeks, your employer may not be required to provide you with modified duty. As a result, you could lose your job.
Additionally, if you don’t report your workplace injury, you may have a hard time collecting workers’ compensation benefits or proving that your injury occurred at work if you decide to file a lawsuit.
It Helps Identify Potential Safety Hazards
When employers are made aware of workplace injuries, they’re required to investigate the incident and determine whether any potential safety hazards need to be addressed. This is important because it can help prevent future injuries from occurring.
For example, if an employee slips and falls on a wet floor, the employer would be required to investigate the incident and determine whether the floor was properly cleaned and whether there were any potential hazards that could have contributed to the fall. The employer might then decide to implement new safety procedures, such as requiring employees to wear slip-resistant shoes.
It Protects Your Legal Rights
Everyone, including Americans and other groups that have historically been discriminated against in the workplace, is entitled to special protections under the law, especially if the injury is related to a form of discrimination, such as harassment or racial discrimination.
For instance, if you’re injured at work because your employer failed to provide a safe working environment, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them. However, if you don’t report your injury to your employer, you may have a hard time proving that the injury occurred at work and that your employer was at fault.
You can, however, look for a relevant and experienced attorney to assist you. That means that if, for instance, your primary language is Spanish, you may be able to get a good lawyer by using the words “Injured on the job – Spanish” on Google or a similar search engine.
Additionally, note that if you don’t report your workplace injury, you may miss out on important benefits, such as workers’ compensation, that can help you pay for your medical treatment and replace a portion of your lost wages.
Bottom Line
So, if you’re injured at work, be sure to report the injury to your employer right away. By doing so, you can help ensure that you receive the benefits and protections you’re entitled to under the law. It’s important for your well-being and job protection.
