The Best Way to Report a Workers’ Comp Injury to Your Employer

You’ve been injured at work—do you know what to do next? Time is of the essence in a workers’ compensation claim, and you need to follow the right steps to get the compensation you are owed. If you’ve been injured, make sure you know these important tips about workers’ compensation.

If you’re facing pressure from your employer to avoid filing a claim, it’s time to talk to a workers’ compensation attorney and protect your rights. Call Thiry & Caddell at 251-478-8880 to set up a consultation now.

Act Quickly

Too many people delay filing a workplace injury report. They wait to see if it’s serious enough to report or wait until the end of the shift when things get less busy. This is a mistake, as it makes it harder for your employer to verify your report. Notify your supervisor immediately and tell them exactly how you were injured.

Be Specific and Accurate

When telling your supervisor about what happened, don’t leave out details. This isn’t the time to rush to save time. What you tell them could determine whether or not you receive benefits, so be very clear about what happened before, during, and after the accident.

Additionally, make sure you give accurate information. Don’t embellish or add unnecessary information to make your injury sound more serious than it is. Completeness and truthfulness are essential for your injury report.

Get Medical Treatment

It’s tempting to skip this step, which is probably why so many injured Alabama employees do not get their injuries checked out. You may worried about being seen as a worrier or trying to take the day off of work without cause. You may be concerned that your employer will think you are a “problem employee.”

Do not let any of this stop you from getting medical attention. You have no idea how serious your injuries are until you get it checked out. Your employer would rather send you to the doctor and find out it’s nothing serious than keep you at work and later find out that your injury is very serious. In the latter case, the delay between the initial injury and your checkup could have caused even more damage. Make sure you go to a facility approved by your employer.

File the Proper Paperwork

You will need to file a workplace injury report to qualify for workers’ compensation. Most employers have a very clear and straightforward process for this, so all you need to do is fill out the paperwork and submit it to your supervisor. You may wish to keep a copy for your records.

Make sure you fill out the paperwork in time. Workers’ compensation works on strict timelines in Alabama and waiting to document your injury until you have time could cost you the right to receive compensation.

Don’t be alarmed if you have to fill out multiple reports. On top of the state-required injury report form, your employer may have their own injury report form that they need you to fill out as part of their employment policy.

Seek Outside Help if You Are Discouraged from Filing a Claim

For many people, that’s where the workers’ compensation application journey ends. Their company approves the claim, and they get the payment and medical treatment they need. For others, it’s just the beginning. Their employer or their company’s workers’ compensation insurance provider denies the claim, insisting that the injury is not work-related.

If this happens to you, do not delay in seeking out a workers’ compensation attorney. You are likely being taken advantage of, and your employer is counting on the fact that many employees are too scared to advocate for themselves. Reach out to an attorney right away to fight for the compensation you are owed.

Start Your Claim Now with the Team at Thiry & Caddell

If you’re getting the runaround when it comes to filing a workers’ compensation claim, don’t let your employer intimidate you. The team at Thiry & Caddell is here to hold your employer accountable and ensure that they follow state law. Take the first step now by setting up a consultation. You can call us at 251-478-8880 or reach out online to set up a meeting.