Professionals don’t expect to get hurt when they show up for work for the day. Whether they slip, make accidental contact with equipment or get assaulted by an angry customer, they may require workers’ compensation benefits.
Most employers in Pennsylvania provide workers’ compensation coverage that can replace lost income and help workers pay for their medical care. The first day after an incident occurs is important to the viability of a workers’ compensation claim.
What steps do employees who get hurt on the job often need to take as soon as possible after a work incident?
1. Document what occurred
Memory fades fast after an injury, especially when people experience stress or require medication. Injured workers can use written notes or even video recorded with a mobile phone to outline exactly what happened.
The names of any witnesses who were present, details of what occurred and even photos of the aftermath of the incident can all help prove that the worker got hurt at work. While fault rarely plays a role in workers’ compensation claims, questions about the origins of an injury can lead to disputes. The more evidence there is that an incident occurred at work, the easier it is for employees to pursue benefits.
2. Report the incident to management
The best time to notify a supervisor of an on-the-job injury is immediately after it occurs. Although the law allows employees up to 120 days to notify employers about an injury or diagnosis, reporting the matter as soon as possible is usually the best option.
Prompt reporting helps ensure that workers can receive benefits as soon as possible. Workers have only 21 days from the time of their injury to report the matter if they want backdated benefits that begin on the date of the injury.
3. Seek appropriate medical care
Some businesses have on-site medical facilities for first aid. Often, those with significant work injuries must leave to receive treatment. Those workers may need to check if their employer has a panel of physicians, also known as a physician list.
Employers have the right to select designated providers for at least the first 90 days of a workers’ compensation claim. Immediate care can validate that employment caused the injury, offer the worker the best prognosis and ensure they know what restrictions they may face when they return to work.
Discussing one’s situation with a workers’ compensation attorney can also be helpful. An attorney can manage paperwork, advise workers of key deadlines and negotiate on behalf of an injured professional when there are disputes about their benefits.