Top Five Steps to Take After Being Injured at Work in Georgia

You may not think very much about how important your physical ability to work is to supporting yourself and your family until you have been injured on the job. However, after suffering a work-related injury, the stress of trying to recover while facing lost wages and covering medical bills can be overwhelming.

The attorneys at Powell & Associates can help you navigate your worker’s compensation claim and help you win compensation for your lost wages and medical expenses. Here we share our top five steps to take after being injured at work, and if you’ve been hurt on the job, we encourage you to meet with us for a free legal consultation.

File an Official Injury Report with Your Employer

If you are injured on the job, you will want to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Even if you do not feel like your injury is serious at the time it happens, complications can develop that may impact your health and ability to perform your job duties.

You should submit a written report to the appropriate authority in your workplace, such as your supervisor or the HR Manager, generally within 30 days of the incident. Prompt documentation helps ensure your recollection of the events leading to your injury is as clear as possible. A written report also helps protect you should you run into any problems with your workers’ compensation claim.

Follow Employer Instructions to See a Doctor

Following an accident at work, you will need to see a doctor to have your injury evaluated as soon as possible. Be sure to follow employer instructions in regard to where you go to seek treatment. Some employers may require you to use a specific physician or facility. However, if you are uncomfortable with the provider’s evaluation of your injuries, be sure to get a second opinion. You will also want to inform all healthcare providers that your injury is work related so they can document that information in your file.

Keep Detailed Written Documentation

It is important that you document as much information as possible in regard to the treatment of your injury. This documentation will support your claims, and help you obtain your just compensation for lost wages and medical costs associated with your injury. Some of the information you may want to document includes:

• Witness contact information
• Time off from work
• Travel to medical appointments
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Avoid Actions that May Disqualify Your Claim

According to the website workplacefairness.org there are several actions that may put you at risk of having your workers’ compensation claim denied. The following may compromise your entitlement to benefits:

• Failure to promptly report injuries
• Not cooperating with employer or medical provider
• Failure to return to suitable employment
• Obtaining other employment while receiving disability benefits
• Falsifying reports or documentation

Contact an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you are injured at work, be sure to contact an attorney with expertise in workers’ compensation claims. Your employer and their insurance companies will have corporate lawyers working for them to disprove your claims. You’ll need experienced attorneys, like those at Powell & Associates to help you get the compensation you are due. Schedule your free legal consultation today!