Got Hurt On Your Job? Here’s How to Handle it the Right Way

By  //  July 13, 2021

Accidents and bad fortune might occur at any second of your life, and the work environment is no exception to that. Whether the injury happened due to the nature of the work or because of personal excess, there are certain steps that you need to follow and cover when found in that kind of situation.

Some actions are obligatory by Carolinas’ laws, and some are downright rational when it comes to your wellbeing.

Let’s see what you should do if you’ve got hurt on the job.

Contact the Attorney

However, what happens if your medical documentation is not appropriate, or if the nature of your injury is such that you fail to report it on time, or the employer and the insurance company deny your right to workers’ compensation?

Thanks to consultation with personal injury lawyers at Stewart Law offices, it is safe (and consolidating) to say that there are always ways and options to file a claim and win the case. You have the right to hire an attorney that will assist and fight for your case through stress, emotional and physical pain after being injured, but not having any kind of compensation for it.

Even if your employer doesn’t have insurance, a qualified lawyer needs to be and will be your best ally, without charging any fees unless you win your claim.

Ask For Medical Help

First, and of utmost importance, you are going to need medical help and, based on your injury, a hospitalization. Do not hesitate or diminish the significance of your injury as you’re going to work every day believing you’ll be safe and sound and return home the same.

Also, do not act differently or refuse help because perhaps the injury was your fault or the consequence of your estimate. In the moment of injury, you cannot know if your misfortune was caused by an inadequate working environment, not following the safety rules by your employer or colleagues, or any other effect of the working environment.

Therefore, if possible, get yourself checked to see if you’re fine and if there is an actual need for calling the ambulance or emergency help.

Have somebody assist you with contacting the doctor or taking you to the hospital. Once there, make sure that doctor writes you a medical report explaining the injury, that it’s work-related or happened at work, and what damages occurred because of the accident.

From this moment on, it is all about obtaining complete and correct medical documentation.

Report the Injury

Since it is work-related, your employer needs to be informed of the injury almost immediately. This report can be sent in many forms, but preferably in a paper, writing form (as the accountant will need to note and keep everything in your file).

The importance of reporting your injury as promptly as possible leaves out the possibility of losing any legal rights you may have to receive workers’ compensation benefits from your employer.

So, if you have reported the injury to HR or your manager in the deadline (in SC and NC, it’s 90 and 30 days) and have a medical note which states that the injury happened at work – then you’re very securely going to be compensated by your employer and the insurance company.

Worker’s Compensation

Any compensation depends on the worker’s sector, on the state, on the type of the injury, but, generally, in any case of a worker not being able to work for longer than 21 days due to medical disability. 

In a normal case scenario, after reporting the injury to your employer, you will be presented with a compensation claim form that you need to fill correctly.

It is of great importance to keep a copy of the form for your records. Having copies or keeping originals of all the files and documents and all of the expenses related to your injury will be, and is, necessary because your compensation is partially based on all costs that you come upon, like doctors and hospital fees or medications.

Keep track and proof of these transactions, as you might need them, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Your attorney might need them too.

Lastly, the insurance company usually has 14 days to inform you about the status of your claim. Again, in case of rejection, it is best to have legal and professional advice.

The fortune in misfortune is that both North and South Carolina have legally set regulations on what to do when hurt on your job, and they acknowledge the one’s right to file a claim and pursue its rights. With proper documentation and legal help, the stress of your injury will ease a bit, which allows you to recover and get back on life’s track.