Five Things You Should Do After Being Injured at Work
Getting injured at work can be a scary, painful, and confusing experience. It is difficult to know what to do or who to talk to. At Harbison & Kavanagh, we understand the pain our workers’ compensation clients are experiencing and zealously advocate on their behalf with their employers and the Workers’ Compensation Commission. If you are unsure of what to do after a workplace injury, the following recommendations may be able to help.
Seek Medical Treatment
The most important thing is your health and wellbeing, so if you are injured at work the first thing you should do is seek medical treatment. Do not wait a week or even a couple of days to see a doctor for your injuries. Not only could this exacerbate an existing problem, it can also reduce your chances of full compensation for your injuries. Seeking medical attention right after an accident also creates contemporaneous documentation of your injuries that is very helpful in workers’ compensation claims.
Document Your Injuries and Recovery
In addition to seeking medical treatment, try to also document your injuries and recovery. This can include pictures or video of the injuries immediately after they occur in addition to keeping a daily journal of how you are feeling, your limitations, and how your recovery is going. Additional documentation can also help solidify your claims with your employer and the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Report the Injury to Your Employer
Under Virginia law, you are required to report your workplace injury to your employer. The law suggests reporting the injury as soon as it happens but does allow up to thirty days from the date that the accident occurred. If you fail to report your injury to your employer, you risk having your workers’ compensation claim denied.
File a Claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission
You should also file a claim with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission to inform them of your workplace injury. This protects some of your rights and lets the Commission know that you will be seeking workers’ compensation for the accident. Claims can be made in person, by mail, by fax, or by web file to the Commission.
Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
The best way to protect your rights and claims for workers’ compensation is to hire a workers’ compensation attorney. The sooner you hire an attorney after an accident the better your chances are of receiving full compensation for the harm you suffered at work. A lawyer can speak with your employer, negotiate with insurers, and defend your case to the Commission while you focus on what is most important – your recovery.
Call Us Now
If you have been injured at work in the Richmond area our expert workers’ compensation attorneys are here to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call the office of Harbison & Kavanagh or contact us today to schedule a free consultation of your workers’ compensation case.
