Maybe you fell down the stairs at work and tore a tendon, or perhaps you suffered a head injury because of falling items in a warehouse. When you need workers’ compensation benefits, you will probably need medical care and possibly time off of work.
Taking the right steps when you realize you have an issue will make it easier for you to connect with the workers’ compensation benefits that you need.
Report the injury as soon as it happens
Don’t just ask for the afternoon off. Tell your supervisor why you need to leave. Let them know that you have to go see a doctor because you just had an accident on the job. The sooner you report your injury to your employer, the better the paper trail will be validating it.
See a doctor
Even if you don’t have the best health insurance, you won’t have to pay for workers’ compensation-related medical treatment. Workers should receive full coverage for all necessary medical care related to a work-acquired illness or a job-related injury.
Follow medical recommendations
You may not want to take a couple of weeks off work or ask your boss to transfer you to light-duty responsibilities. However, if your doctor recommended those changes, then that is exactly what you need to do. Failing to follow medical recommendations can make you at least partially responsible for the lasting impact of your injuries if you don’t get better.
Reporting the issue to your employer, getting diagnosed quickly and following all medical orders will improve your chances of getting and retaining benefits until you fully recover. Understanding how to protect yourself during a workers’ compensation claim can make the process a little bit easier.