After an accident at work, plenty of thoughts race through your head: Did anyone see that? Was it my fault? Who should I tell? Those are fair questions — but a workers' comp attorney would urge you to do one critical thing first: report it. If you don't follow the correct reporting steps, you could lose your workers' compensation claim and not be compensated fairly for your injuries.
The First Step Is the Most Critical
Right after a work accident, it's essential to report the incident to someone in management. You can tell your coworkers what happened, but they may not have the authority to document it or act on it — leaving your claim to fall flat. A supervisor, any member of management, human resources, or the company owner can all take your report.
Accidents Come in Many Shapes and Sizes
Some workplace accidents are major — even catastrophic — with an ambulance or EMT called to the scene, and it's clear to everyone that something serious happened. But other accidents aren't so obvious and can go unnoticed by the right people if you let them. You have to be your own advocate — but you don't have to do it alone. Call in the Big Guns and let a Morrison & Hughes workers' comp attorney take up the fight with you.
A Quick 3-Step Checklist
With a fresh injury to worry about, it's hard to focus on anything but feeling better. Our workers' compensation lawyers put together this quick rundown of what to do after a workplace accident:
- Report it to management quickly.Tell a supervisor, HR, or the owner as soon as possible — not just a coworker.
- Make sure it's documented in writing.A written record protects you if the facts are ever disputed.
- Detail all injuries sustained.This is one of the most crucial parts. If you broke your arm and also hurt your back, list both — if you don't document an injured body part, expect all care for it to be denied by the workers' comp insurer. Be accurate and complete.