Millions of people are injured every year during the course of their employment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Private industry employers reported 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023, down 8.4 percent from 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This decrease was driven by a 56.6-percent drop in illnesses to 200,100 cases in 2023, the lowest number since 2019.” Employees injured in the workplace should take a number of steps in order to protect their physical and financial well-being.
1. Seek Medical Attention As Soon As Possible
One of the most common mistakes that accident victims make if they’ve been injured in the workplace is to fail to seek medical attention. The injuries that a person suffers in a workplace accident may not be immediately obvious. It is best for workers to prioritize their health and safety by undergoing a thorough medical evaluation to help reveal all potential injuries. Employees should also inform their doctors that the injury is work-related. This information can prove to be enormously useful later on.
2. Report the Injury to Your Job
Employees should notify their employer as soon as possible if they’ve been injured on the job. In most cases, workers should notify their supervisor. This should ideally be done in writing. Your company may have internal reporting procedures that you may need to keep in mind. After you file your report, keep a copy for your own records.
3. Document Everything Related to Your Injury
Accident victims should document as much as possible if they’ve been injured in the workplace. What follows are some of the steps that you should take in order to properly document everything.
- Photos: Take photos of your injury and the scene where the accident took place. It is also worthwhile to document how an injury progresses over time through photographs.
- Gather Names: In many situations, accidents in the workplace are witnessed by numerous people. Gather the names and contact information of any people who may have seen what happened.
- Keep Records: There will typically be numerous records associated with any workplace accident. This will include medical records that you receive from your doctor. It could also include communications that you have with your employer.
It’s always better to have more documents than less after a workplace accident. Another important option that you should consider is keeping a journal of how your injury has impacted your life.
4. File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Nearly all workers in California are covered through the workers’ compensation system. This is a no-fault insurance scheme that helps workers in the event that they are injured on their job.
- Workers should request a workers’ compensation form from their employer.
- Workers should fill out the form and return it as quickly as possible.
- Workers should be aware of all the important deadlines related to filing a workers’ compensation claim.
In California, workers must report their injury within 30 days of the incident. They must also file a workers’ compensation claim within one year from the day that the event took place.
5. Consult an Experienced Employment Lawyer
Workers often think that they will be treated fairly as they pursue a workers’ compensation claim. But in far too many situations, this does not take place. There are a number of reasons that workers should consider hiring an experienced employment lawyer if they’ve been injured on the job.
- Benefits: An attorney can take steps to help ensure that you receive all of the medical and financial benefits that you were entitled to under the law.
- Roadblocks: An attorney can help navigate all of the legal obstacles that your claim may run into. Many people who go through the workers’ compensation system experience delays and denials of coverage.
- Protection: An attorney can take steps to ensure that all of your legal rights are being protected as you pursue a claim. Many workers who were injured on the job are illegally discriminated against or experience retaliation by their employers.
There is a tremendous peace of mind that comes with having an experienced attorney work on your case. Another key benefit of hiring an attorney is that they work entirely off of a contingency fee arrangement. They only get paid by the opposing party if they’re able to successfully resolve your case.
Getting Legal Help After a Workplace Injury
A workplace injury can have serious short-term and long-term implications. Many victims will need to take extensive periods of time away from work in order to heal. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have legal rights. One of the best ways to protect those rights is to retain an experienced employment law attorney. Our team of attorneys at The Labor Champ are here to help if you’ve been injured on the job. We can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are. You can contact us anytime for a risk-free consultation at 949-727-9300.
