What to Do After an On-the-Job Injury in Texas
Workplace injuries can happen in any industry, whether you work a desk job or perform physical labor, day in and day out. When those injuries happen in the course of your duties, you’ll be eligible for workers’ compensation to help cover the cost of your medical expenses and replace a portion of your income while you’re unable to work. But there are a few things that your Texas workplace injury attorney wants you to do as soon as you’re injured to help you avoid any delays in getting the money you deserve. Here are the steps you should take after an on-the-job injury.
Report Your Injury to Your Employer
As soon as you’re injured, let your employer know what happened. Be sure to tell them that the injury happened as a result of your job duties and tell them that you need to seek medical attention. Your employer should let you go to an approved clinic, urgent care location, emergency room, or your primary care physician to get checked out.
Don’t just notify your coworkers. Let your manager or supervisor know about your injury. They’re the ones who can clear you to leave without issue.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you think the injury is minor, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as you can. The sooner you do, the sooner you can have a treatment plan in place to help you recover. During your appointment, the doctor will document your injury and can provide you with a note to show any work restrictions or time off needed to aid in your recovery. This documentation is essential if you’re filing a workers’ compensation claim. It shows that the injury was real and severe enough to warrant treatment.
Fill Out the Necessary Paperwork
After receiving medical care, you’ll want to report to your employer and let them know about any restrictions or time off requirements recommended by your doctor. In most instances, your employer will then ask you to fill out an incident report describing the accident and the circumstances that led to the accident.
Most responsible employers will also ask you to fill out workers’ compensation paperwork to initiate your claim. Remember, when you’re injured on the job, you’re eligible for workers’ compensation. Your employer will be able to submit your paperwork to initiate your claim.
If your employer refuses to give you the workers’ compensation paperwork, you can fill it out on your own and report their actions to the Texas Department of Insurance.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
It’s important that you follow your doctor’s orders as far as your treatment is concerned, especially after filing a workers’ compensation claim. Failure to follow their treatment protocol and restrictions could cause your claim to be denied.
If your symptoms worsen, be sure to follow up with your doctor. You’ll want to document any appointments you have to further support your claim and show the severity of your injuries.
Be Cautious About What You Post Online
Both your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance provider can look at any posts you make public on your social media accounts. Avoid posting about your injury or sharing photos of yourself engaging in fun activities or ones that could portray you as uninjured. These pictures can be used against you to downplay your accident and make you ineligible for workers’ compensation and lighter duties.
You may want to wait to post anything until you’re done with your recovery. This will reduce the risk of your social media profiles being used against you.
Speak With a Texas Workplace Injury Attorney
If you’ve been injured on the job, filing for workers’ compensation can help you get the money you need to focus on your recovery. But if your claim is denied, you’ll need to speak with an experienced Texas workplace injury attorney. They’ll help you explore your options and may be able to appeal the decision. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and explore your options.