Workplace Accidents and the Steps to Take after an Injury Occurs

Even if your job is not physical in nature, workplace accidents can still happen. California workers who sustain on-the-job injuries can usually depend on workers compensation benefits to cover their medical expenses and lost wages.

If you've been injured on the job, the first thing you need to do is seek medical treatment promptly as delays might make your condition worse. If the injury is not serious, you may wish to see your family doctor. However, if you're bleeding or sustained a blow to your head, you should go to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible.

Be sure to tell your nurses and doctors that you were injured in a workplace accident. If you do not do this, your medical records will not reflect this and the insurance company may try to deny benefits. If this happens, you may want to consult a workplace accident attorney for help in getting your entitled benefits.

As soon as you are able to, you need to notify your work supervisor about the accident and fill out the appropriate paperwork. If you wait too long to report the accident, your claim may be denied. Again, you may want to consult a workplace accident attorney to get your claim on track.

If your injuries require treatment over time, be sure to do everything your doctor tells you to do. Take all your medications and keep all your appointments. If you do not follow medical instructions, the workers compensation folks will say you weren't hurt that bad and deny benefits. An on the job injury lawyer can help by getting your claim re-instated.

If you missed work, you are entitled to compensation for the wages you lost. It is important to get this paperwork handled in a timely manner so you'll have money coming in to pay your living expenses. In the rare instance where wage benefits are denied, you will probably need legal help to get it all sorted out.

If you are permanently disabled as a result of your accident, the workers compensation folks will offer you compensation to settle your injury. Such awards generally follow formula based on physical examinations and doctors' reports. However, a doctor may understate the severity of your injuries, resulting in an award that is smaller than it should be. That's when you'll need workplace injury attorneys to go to bat for you so you get what you're entitled to.

In addition to state workers compensation disability awards, you may be entitled to disability payments from Social Security. These payments can be difficult to get on your own, so, again, you may want to retain an experienced attorney who can navigate the process for you.

From the time you are injured, it is important to follow procedures correctly. The workers compensation folks will be looking for any excuse to deny benefits to you. Don't give them this opportunity.