Do you know what steps to take after a work accident?

What should you do after a work accident? How can you be sure that you will get everything you need for recovery? Walking through the aftermath of this type of accident is never easy, and it is often complicated to deal with workers’ compensation insurance companies. You will find it helpful to know how to avoid problems with this process and what steps you should be taking.

Workers’ compensation claims are time sensitive. It is in your interests to move quickly to file your claim, but where should you start? Knowing what to do after an accident in the workplace can help you protect your interests. You have certain rights as an injured California employee, including the right to seek help and pursue benefits for your post-accident needs.

The claims process 

Most types of workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in the event that they suffer injuries in a workplace accident. These benefits can help you with things such as medical bills, recovery of a portion of your lost wages and even help getting back to work. A work injury can leave you sidelined and without a paycheck, and getting your benefits is important.

After your accident, there are a few things you will need to do in order to have what you need for your claim and to follow proper procedure. Employers should have a notice posted that explains what injured workers should do, but knowing the following steps can be helpful:

• One of the first things you should do is get medical help. It is the first thing you or someone else should call for if your injuries are grave or clearly requiring emergency care.
• You should notify your employer. Do not skip this step even if you think that you will get in trouble or that it could compromise your job in some way.
• If you need medical care outside of emergency treatment, you should see a doctor. Needing medical care could be an important requirement of your workers’ compensation claim.
• You will need to complete the claim application for workers’ compensation benefits. This will likely also require that you include documentation from your doctors and important details about the accident and injury.

The claims process is not easy, and sometimes valid claims come back denied. In order to increase your chance of initial success, you will find it beneficial to work with an experienced attorney who can help you understand your rights and move through the appropriate steps in a timely manner.