What to Do After an Accident

If you are injured on the job, the actions you take directly after your workplace accident are critical.

Your mind will of course be very focused on the accident and the injury, but it's important to think ahead to what may ultimately be a matter that involves lawyers and judges.

A few things to do after an accident:

• Think Before You Speak - Take great care in everything you say and do after the accident. The words you use may ultimately be used by a workers compensation insurance adjuster to minimize your accident compensation.
• Don't Be a Tough Guy - If you were injured, get medical attention. Don't say "I'm fine" or "It's nothing" because, if you do, "nothing" may be what you ultimately get from the workers compensation process.
• Get Medical Attention - Play it safe and have a doctor look at the injury immediately. It's usually best to go direct to the Emergency Room. Remember, you have the right to choose your own doctor.
• Document What Happened - It's best to document what happened as soon after the accident as possible. That's when your memories are freshand most accurate.
• Tell Your Employer - Make sure you inform your employer that you have been injured. Failure to do so may jeopardize your workers compensation benefits.
• Document Your Eyewitnesses - Be sure to write down everyone who witnessed the workplace accident. Be sure to get their name, address, phone number and email address if possible. Having an objective witness can help you get the compensation you deserve.
• Don't Sign Anything - Insurance adjusters and others may ask you to sign documents. Don't sign anything until you have had time to recover and start to think clearly.
• Contact a Workers Compensation Attorney - A good workers' compensation attorney can assist you with understanding the workers compensation process and how to properly go about making a claim. In a contested case, they can also be invaluable in obtaining appropriate compensation for workplace injury and the resulting lost income and medical treatments.
• File a Workers Compensation Claim - There is a statute of limitations that defines a timeframe in which you must file a claim after an accident. Wait too long and you may not be covered. So, file a claim in a timely manner. Don't listen to anyone who says you shouldn't file a claim. The risks in not filing a claim are too great. You may end up paying for all of your own medical expenses.
• Don't refuse light work - Refusing to do work can in some cases result in termination of any benefits, so speak to your attorney before you opt out of any light duty work offered to you.