What are your next steps after an accident in the workplace?
An accident at work can leave you in pain and facing medical bills you may not be certain you can handle on your own. It’s both overwhelming and confusing to deal with these types of incidents, especially when you are not sure what to do next. If your accident happened at work or you became ill because of your job, you may have grounds to pursue benefits through a workers’ compensation claim.
The workers’ compensation process can be confusing, especially if you are already dealing with injuries and missing time from work. It is in the interests of each Florida worker to know his or her rights and understand how to proceed through this process. In the event that you need to file a claim, this information will help you protect your interests and avoid problems that can keep you from getting the support you need and deserve.
What happens next?
What you do next after a work accident matters. There are certain steps that you will want to take that will help you as you seek workers’ compensation benefits. One of the first things you will want to do is to call for emergency medical attention, if necessary. Your health and well-being should always be the main priority after an accident in your workplace. If it is not an emergency, you should still seek medical treatment. This will help establish important documentation you will need for your claim.
It is also important to notify your employer in writing. It is smart to do this as soon as possible as there is likely a specific window of time in which you need to do this for your claim. After this, your employer may give you a specific form to fill out for your claim.
What does your employer have to do?
There are certain things you can expect from your employer. For example, your employer cannot prevent you from filing a claim or discourage you from seeking the help you need after an accident. He or she also cannot fire you for filing a claim or retaliate against you for exercising your rights as an injured worker.
The workers’ compensation process can be complex, and it’s not always easy to know what to do next. Sometimes, initial claims even come back denied. This is why many injured workers find it beneficial to seek the guidance of an experienced attorney who can help them with every step of the claims process, from their initial application to handling any appeals that may be necessary.
