Do you know what steps to take if you or someone close to you has an on-the-job injury? Your safety and rights should always come first, and at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, we want to make sure they do!
The following steps can help you not only make sure you are safe but can also be helpful once you file a workers’ compensation claim.
- Get immediate medical treatment.
This is especially important for very serious or life-threatening injuries. Even if you believe your injuries were minor, you place yourself at risk by not seeking medical treatment right away. There may be an underlying condition or complication from the injury that may not be immediately apparent. Additionally, your account of the accident will be fresher and more accurate; you can give your doctor a better overview of how you feel and what contributed to the accident. Finally, waiting to seek medical treatment can put you at a disadvantage; a claims administrator may believe your injuries are not legitimate or serious if you waited to get medical treatment. - Notify your employer.
You should let your employer know of your injury as soon as possible. This will not only benefit your claim, but can also help with addressing any hazards that may be potentially dangerous for other workers. Make sure that any reports you give to your employer are done in writing. Your report becomes a formal document that eliminates any possibility of disputes or accusations of “he said, she said.” - Understand the laws.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, you, as an employee, have rights under federal and state guidelines. In addition, employers have a legal obligation to provide “safe and healthful working conditions.” This mean it is your right to seek compensation for injuries that have occurred on the job, especially if the accident was due to management violating safety rules. - Keep track of all records and evidence.
Be sure to attend all doctor appointments and hold on to the medical records. If you miss any appointments, insurance companies may view that as non-compliance and can deny your claim. - Complete your workers’ compensation claim.
You can talk to a South Carolina workers’ compensation attorney to assist you with this process. Remember that workers’ compensation can be used to pay for your medical and therapy bills, lost income, and other costs related to recovering from your injury. Above all else, you want to make sure that all of your paperwork is in order.
Do you need assistance with your workers’ comp claim in South Carolina or want more information? Give George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers a call today and schedule a consultation with us!