You could be risking injury every day you set foot in the factory. If you were hurt on the warehouse floor, your mind might have immediately jumped to the bills that’ll be coming your way. But those may have to wait with more pressing things to consider.
Working with machinery, moving product and operating assembly lines all come with their own inherent risks. This is part of the reason why workers in factories are the largest source of claims for injuries in the US. But making a claim doesn’t mean you’ll get compensation, so it’s important to know the steps to take after an injury.
Assembling a claim
There are a number of crucial steps for you to take to make sure the case you present is a strong one:
- Notify your supervisor: You should let someone know as soon as you’re injured for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, you’ll want to get medical attention, but there might be specific doctors that your employer’s insurance requires you to see first. This can also solidify the occurrence of an injury for later records and claims.
- Get medical attention: Make sure you get the help you need. The sooner you seek care, the sooner you’re likely to get on the road to recovery. Even if it isn’t an emergency, this will help tie your injury to work. Waiting to get treatment may convey the message that the injury wasn’t that severe, or that it wasn’t as connected to your job as you claim.
- Gather evidence: Start gathering details immediately. The time, date, location and circumstances of your injury may all be necessary once the insurance company is reviewing your claim. Take notes on how the accident happened, people that were witnesses and conditions that contributed to the event.
- Handle paperwork: One of the most important parts of the process may be one of the least exciting. You’ll likely want to spend extra time going over the details in your paperwork and make sure you’ve submitted every form correctly. This can be crucial in avoiding a claim denial.
Get the help you need to get back on the job. Understanding the steps you should take after a workplace injury can be critical in receiving compensation.