Steps to Take After Being Injured at Work

A workplace injury can throw a wrench into all of your plans. All of your in-progress projects, overtime plans, and work toward a promotion—they are all on hold while you recover. Although workplace injuries are relatively common, they still have the potential to leave victims overwhelmed and uncertain about their next steps. As long as your injury happened at work, you’re likely entitled to workers’ compensation in Mobile, AL. If you run into issues, it may be time to turn to an attorney and learn more about your options. In the meantime, follow these steps to protect yourself.

That’s where the team at Thiry & Caddell steps in. We’re here to advocate for you and help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us at 251-478-8880 to set up a consultation now.

Report the Accident

The earlier you report a workplace injury, the better off you are. Waiting too long looks suspicious and may lead to further investigations and delays. Report the incident to your immediate supervisor or manager so you can get your workers’ comp claim started. If you get injured and don’t report it right away because you think you don’t need medical care, that doesn’t mean your claim is lost; you should still tell your supervisor as soon as possible.

Seek Medical Care

Your next step is to get checked out by a doctor. In Alabama, injured workers are sent to their employer’s or insurance provider’s approved primary care provider. The longer you wait to get checked out, the harder it may be to link the injury to a workplace accident. Note that if your injury is an emergency, you do not have to waste time finding out who your employer’s preferred care provider is. You can seek care at the nearest facility and then begin seeing an approved physician for your ongoing treatment.

Fill Out the Necessary Paperwork and Documentation

You’ll likely need to fill out a workplace injury form for your employer. These forms differ from company to company, but generally ask you about how the accident happened, who was with you, who witnessed it, when it occurred, and your injuries. You may wish to ask for a copy of the form for your records. Avoid claiming responsibility for the accident; while you are still entitled to compensation if your own mistake caused your injury, some employers will use any excuse they can to deny a claim.

Pursue a Workers’ Compensation Claim

This process is generally initiated by your employer, not by you personally. Once you’ve started treatment, you may want to check with your employer about the state of your workers’ compensation claim. Find out if there’s any other paperwork you need to submit or anything you need to do to keep your claim moving.

Continue Your Medical Treatment

Unfortunately, when you are injured at work, your workplace has the right to be involved in your medical treatment. Your treatment doesn’t just affect you; it also affects your company and their workers’ comp insurance provider, since they are both paying for it. That means that skipping appointments or not adhering to your treatment plan can put your claim in danger.

You are expected to do your part to work toward maximum medical improvement, which means following your treatment plan, taking recommended medications, and doing recommended physical therapy exercises. If you’re unsure about whether or not your treatment plan is even working for you, you do have the option to seek a second opinion.

Consult an Attorney

Is your employer trying to push you back to work before you’re ready? Is your claim being denied, dragged out, or investigated? Are you not receiving your income replacement benefits? Your employer or their insurance company may be mishandling your claim. Talk to a workers’ comp lawyer in Mobile, AL as soon as you suspect something is wrong.

Contact Thiry & Caddell for Help with Your Claim

While workplace injuries can be stressful, you don’t have to go through this process alone. The team at Thiry & Caddell is here to help you pursue the benefits you’re entitled to. Get started now by scheduling your free consultation—just call us at 251-478-8880 or send us a message online.