I was Injured on the Job- What Should I do?

Report Your Injury

Report your work-related injury or illness, regardless of the nature or severity, to your supervisor immediately. Request an "Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits" form from your supervisor. It is extremely important to make your supervisor immediately aware of the situation. You must not withhold information from your employer about the nature of your injuries or illness.

Fill out the "Employee" section of the claim form accurately and return it to your supervisor as soon as possible. Be sure to indicate all the parts of your body you feel may be affected or hurt by the work-related injury or illness. Keep a copy of the completed claim form as your receipt. Request that your employer return the claim form to you with the "employer" section filled out. According to the law, your employer has 24 hours to return the completed form to you.

Request Medical Treatment

Advise your supervisor immediately if you need medical care. If you have filed a Personal Physician Pre-Designation form with your employer before the work-related injury or illness occurred, request to see your designated treating doctor as soon as possible. If you did not file a Personal Physician Designation form, request that your employer send you to a treating doctor as soon as possible. This requires your employer to refer you for medical treatment within 24 hours of filing the claim form.

Accurately describe in detail to the treating doctor how your work-related injury or illness occurred. Tell the doctor about all the parts of your body that have been affected or hurt by the work-related injury or illness.

Attend all medical appointments. Keep copies of all medical information provided to you by the doctor. Keep copies of all correspondence from your employer or the insurance carrier regarding your work-related injury or illness.

The Importance of Record Keeping

Keep accurate records of the following:

• Days off work
• Dates of all medical treatment
• All round trip mileage incurred for the medical treatment
• Receipts for all out-of-pocket medical and prescription costs.

It is extremely important to keep thorough and accurate records of your injuries, appointments, and receipts so that there can be no discrepancy between you and your employer.