Everyone expects to go to work, complete all the tasks planned for the day and get back after a successful day at work. However, that does not always happen. Accidents may happen, leading to injuries, either mild or severe. Although you don’t expect to get injured while at work, it’s good to be aware of the steps you should take if an accident happens. This article discusses the next steps you should take after getting an injury at work.

1. Seek First Aid

If you are badly hurt, seek first aid before anything else. First aid can save your life if you have been involved in a serious injury. It can also prevent the worsening of an injury. Your fellow workers can help you get first aid before going to the hospital. 

2. Report To the Supervisor

Report the accident to your supervisor or manager. If the company you work for has an accident reporting protocol, follow it. Don’t wait to report the accident several days after it occurred, as that could be breaching the protocols. Report the injury even if it seems minor or you somehow feel that you somehow contributed to it. The supervisor or manager will fill out an accident form, which you should demand a copy of. 

3. See A Doctor

When you get hurt at work, you should seek treatment right away. An insurer will want you to prove that you got treatment immediately after an accident. Also, getting treatment is not just for your insurer to get proof; it’s also good for you since it prevents injuries from worsening. Not seeking treatment can make an insurance company start having doubts about whether you got injuries while in your workplace or not and get a reason for not compensating. 

When you visit a doctor, ensure that you tell them your injuries are a result of a workplace accident. Also, tell them all the symptoms and what exactly happened. 

You should see a doctor even if you feel that your injuries are not very severe. Some symptoms of certain injuries such as back injury and neck injury may not show up immediately after an accident but much later. These symptoms may be a sign of a serious injury, and it gets worse when you’re not treated on time. 

4. Collect Evidence

Getting evidence is important if you want to file a worker’s compensation claim. It’s also important since you can use it to defend yourself from any accusation from another party. One of the easiest ways of collecting evidence is by taking videos or photos using your phone. 

5. Keep Record

You need to keep records of the accident, such as the date and time when it happened, the date you visited a doctor for treatment, and the person you reported the accident to. Also, keep receipts, photographs, treatment items and reports safely as you might require them as evidence. The goal here is to have as much evidence as possible for compensation purposes. 

6. Look For a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Everyone has a right to a safe working environment. That’s why you should be compensated after a workplace injury. Sometimes, going through the claim process can be challenging. A workers compensation lawyer can help you through the entire process and ensure you get rightfully compensated. It’s much easier working with a legal professional than doing everything on your own. The lawyer will also advise you on whether your claim is valid or not and the next steps you should take.

Injuries at work are very common. Some of these injuries can be severe and greatly interfere with your life. Others can cause you financial problems due to expensive treatment costs. If you get involved in an accident, knowing the right procedures will help you get treatment promptly and get compensated.