If you’re injured on the job, it’s easy to feel like you’re on your own in terms of what steps to take next. However, workplace injuries are pretty common — in fact, nearly 3 million Americans are injured each year at their workplaces, and getting care is a pretty straightforward process.
As a top-rated chiropractic and physical therapy practice in Lake Worth and Fort Lauderdale, Floria, Easy Reach Chiropractic helps injured employees get the care they need to relieve pain, improve mobility, and address other symptoms caused by job-related injuries. Here’s what you should do if you’ve been injured on the job.
Even though millions of on-the-job injuries happen every year, it isn’t uncommon for employees to feel nervous about seeking medical care. After all, you depend on your job for your income and plenty of other benefits, so it’s natural to be wary of “rocking the boat.”
But worker’s compensation and disability were designed specifically to help injured workers get medical care and other compensation following on-the-job injuries. Stay focused, stay confident, and follow these four simple steps.
As soon as you can, report your injury to your manager. It isn’t always comfortable reporting an injury to your boss, but as they say in the legal world, time is of the essence. If you wait too long — more than 30 days in Florida — your claim can automatically be denied.
Most workplaces have a specific process that you must follow to receive compensation for your care. Follow those instructions carefully, and if you have questions or if something isn’t clear, ask. Many employers file claims for worker’s compensation, but you should ask if you need to submit your own claim — and if you do, file one immediately.
As soon as possible after your accident, write down everything you can about the accident and injury. Include what you were doing just before the accident, what you were doing when the accident occurred, and any other details about your accident, your injury, and your symptoms.
Most workplaces will require you to submit a detailed report anyway, but you’ll also want an account for your own records in case you need it during your doctor’s visit or for a disability or worker’s comp claim.
In addition to a record of the accident, keep all emails, notes, letters, medical bills, and any other paperwork regarding your accident and its treatment. If you speak to someone over the phone or in person, take careful notes.
After the conversation, send an email recapping the conversation to the person with whom you spoke. That “paper trail” ensures there is no miscommunication that could lead to problems with compensation.
Of course, you’ll want to follow your treatment providers instructions so that you can feel better as quickly as possible. Following those instructions is also important for any claims process, including worker’s comp claims to receive compensation for your care.
If you skip steps, the agency reviewing your claim may decide you didn’t really need care after all, which could result in a rejection of your claim or only partial compensation for your care. If you have any questions about your care, don’t hesitate to ask — we’re just a phone call away.
Reporting your accident within 30 days (and ideally much sooner) is just one deadline you have to meet. If you’re submitting a worker’s compensation claim or a disability claim, you’ll have other deadlines to remember, as well. Missing just one deadline could result in your claim being denied. Use a calendar, or better yet, set reminder alarms on your phone.
For more information on how to handle a workplace injury, visit Florida’s worker’s compensation website for a review of the complete process. To get care for your injury, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Easy Reach Chiropractic today.
