3 Steps to Follow if You Are Injured in a Workplace Accident

 Posted on April 23, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

Workplace accidents can fall anywhere on a wide range of severity. You could slip in a puddle in the office bathroom, fall off a broken desk chair, have improperly secured equipment fall on you, and more. Whatever happens, there are some steps you should take on the day of the accident that can help your workers’ compensation claim get processed more smoothly. This article will explain some of the steps, but if you are involved in a workplace accident, you should speak with a skilled Springfield, IL workers’ compensation attorney who can advise you on what to do next.

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention

Whether you require an ambulance and paramedics and need to get ushered into the emergency room or your injuries are less urgent and you just need to be examined to make sure you are not letting any issue go unnoticed, the first thing you should do if you are involved in a workplace accident is to seek medical attention. Do not wait till your work day is over. This will help in two ways: First, it means you are getting the treatment you need, and second, it means there will be documentation and medical records of your injury, which can be used as evidence of your claims later on.

Step 2: Report the Incident

Some employees prefer to wait and see whether their injury gets worse before letting anyone know about it. Unfortunately, that can make it harder for you to get your claim approved. Reporting the incident to your boss or someone else at work is important because your employer will understand why you are not at work. Additionally, most workplaces have procedures to follow when there is an accident, and will likely fill out an incident report that includes the date, time, circumstances, and other relevant information about what happened. This, too, can serve as proof of your claims later on as you seek workers’ compensation.

Step 3: Seek Legal Representation

Knowledgeable lawyers can help guide you as you try to get the compensation you need. They might also advise you to seek more compensation than you knew you were entitled to. If you are suffering and in pain, you might feel distracted by your recovery and lack the strength to make sure you are properly preserving any relevant evidence or that your claim is being processed. A workers’ compensation lawyer can handle those aspects for you so you can focus on getting better.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you have been hurt at work, a qualified Peoria, IL workers’ compensation attorney can help. At Kanoski Bresney, we provide injury victims with respect, response, and results. Call us at 888-826-8682 to schedule a free consultation.