- May 20, 2022
- Workers' Compensation
A workplace injury can change your life dramatically within a day. The incident may be so sudden that you won’t be able to process the whole situation for some time. Then, you would start worrying about your health, medical expenses, and family members who rely on you.
In 2020, 4,764 deadly work injuries were recorded in the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that fatal work injuries decreased by 10.7% this year. However, this does not mean that these injury victims did not experience panic or worry when their injuries occurred.
When you get injured at your workplace, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and possibly permanent disability benefits under North Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws. It can be frustrating to think about what to do in this devastating situation, especially when you’re ill and worried about recovery. However, a Charlotte workers’ compensation lawyer can assist you in filing your compensation claim within the required time period.
Following are some steps to take after your workplace injury. These steps will help you strengthen your compensation claim:
Seek Medical Assistance:
Inform your manager or supervisor and seek medical treatment right after sustaining an injury at the workplace. If your company does not have an on-site medical provider, your manager might ask you to visit a designated off-site healthcare provider. You should go to the employer’s chosen provider unless your injury is too severe, in which case you should go to the hospital.
Make sure to keep a record of your medical expenses and ask your doctor to send a report as well. The report can help your Charlotte workers’ compensation lawyer build your claim.
Report Your Injury to Your Manager:
You need to report to your manager or supervisor about your injury within 30 days of your accident. The report must be in writing. If you fail to do this, you may not be eligible for a workers’ compensation claim.
Document the Incident:
It’s normal to forget specific details in the days or weeks after going through an injury at work. So, it will be of great help if you write down what you remember. You can keep a record while retaining all the details before your memory fades away.
Moreover, it is advised to capture photos and videos of the accident location; considering yourself a crime scene investigator. These pieces of evidence will support your claim of compensation, and your employer won’t be able to hinder your claim.
Consider the following things while writing:
- Place of accident
- Date and time
- What task you were doing
- The names and contact numbers of people who were at the scene
If the insurance company or employer tries to dispute your claim, your worker’s comp lawyer might want to contact witnesses.
Get a Copy of Your Workplace Injury Report:
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has made it compulsory for companies to keep workplace injury reports available for their employees. If you’ve been injured, ask the company to fill out the report, even when your manager says it’s not necessary, and get a copy for your records. This step is essential because some employers are reluctant to record workplace accidents.
File Your Claim for a Workplace Injury:
After suffering a workplace injury, you should submit a workers’ comp claim as soon as possible. You have to file a claim within two years of your injury or illness to be eligible for workers’ comp benefits. Worker’s comp will cover medical care and a percentage of your income while you’re unable to work.
Retain a Charlotte Workers’ Compensation Lawyer:
After getting injured at work, find an experienced worker’s compensation lawyer. Make sure the lawyer has relevant experience in your case. Their previous experience can make your claim stronger. Hire an attorney who is an expert in worker’s compensation cases. A worker’s comp attorney will better know which laws and procedures are relevant to your claim.
Keep a Record of Your Expenses:
There can be a long-lasting impact on a victim’s health after a workplace injury. Therefore, it is necessary to record all the expenses, including medical bills and your lost wages. You also have to keep track of the days you miss from work.
Worker’s compensation law allows employees to receive weekly wage reimbursements and you’ll start receiving payments after seven days of absence from work. While filing a compensation claim, you’ll need every doctor’s appointment record.
Do not forget to send copies of your receipts to your attorney. Your worker’s compensation will use these receipts to calculate your losses. Otherwise, your lawyer might struggle to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Consult With a Personal Injury Lawyer in Charlotte:
Several areas need to be covered in the worker’s compensation claim. You need the help of a reliable and experienced lawyer who can assist you with your case and make sure you get your benefits. Get a free consultation today from a personal injury lawyer in Charlotte and we will guide you through the complex process of filing your claim and ensure you receive all the benefits you’re entitled to.
