More than 4,500 serious work injuries occur in Washington DC. If you got injuries at work, it would be important to get help right away.
The kind of steps you take after a workplace accident can affect your future. This is why it is necessary to know the right steps so you can get the compensation you deserve. To help you achieve the goal, the following are steps to take:
1. Inform the Supervisor
Once you sustain injuries at your workplace, look for a supervisor. Let them know about the accident. Your supervisor’s responsibility is to give you guidance and even review your rights.
Irrespective of the extent of the injury, it will be best to speak to your supervisor. They have the necessary paperwork that you have to fill out.
Your supervisor may as well let you know which steps and rules you need to follow so you can move forward. If you have no idea of what really happened, you can be forced to continue to work in a more dangerous environment and conditions.
2. File a Case
You need to submit the claim for workers’ compensation benefits following your accident. According to legal experts, you must file a workers’ comp claim within two years of your illness or injury to be eligible for a workers’ compensation settlement.
3. Seek Medical Help
Among the first things employers need to ascertain is to ensure the injured workers get medical help immediately. For serious injuries, call for an ambulance, but if they are minor, make arrangements to go to the nearest hospital.
Workmen compensation policies can be helpful in such a case as several carriers offer policyholders 24/7 access to the injured worker hotline where you may speak to professional nurses and doctors in the case of an emergency.
4. Ensure there is an Accident Report
You have to make sure your manager prepares the company’s accident report following the workplace accident. If your manager or employer doesn’t want to file one for you, be sure to write a letter that details when and how you got injured and give it to the supervisor.
When giving the report to the supervisor, be sure to as well keep a record of when you gave it out. Make sure they also sign a receipt stating that you received a letter.
5. Take Videos and Pictures
Taking videos and pictures of the accident. To be specific, you might want to take videos and pictures of where the incident happened and your injuries. These will be helpful when preparing workers’ compensation claims.
But don’t just take one or three pictures and videos and call it a day. Take them from different angles to ensure you have something more tangible to support your claims.
To Wrap-Up!
Although workplace injuries and illnesses can be anticipated, people can manage them smoothly, especially when they take the necessary steps. Of course, you might need to personalize your approaches based on the situation at hand. But following the right steps like these will come in handy.
