What You Need to Know If You Were Injured at Work

By The Husband and Wife Law Team on December 13, 2012

Being injured at work, no matter what you do or where you work, can be a trying experience. If you don’t know your rights and you don’t know the law, the stress and worry of a work injury accident can quickly multiply and put you into a situation to make decisions without all of the information needed and that can extend your recovery by weeks, months, or even years.

The following are some of the most important things you should know about your workplace injury accident and the aftermath:

• You don’t have to go to the company doctor or the company approved doctor. If your company has approved a specific physician, you may only have to see that doctor for 30 days or less depending on state law. After that you’re free to see any doctor you wish without the permission of your work.
• If you are injured on the job, your workplace or Workers Compensation (WC) is required to pay for all reasonable and necessary medical care to assist in your recovery.
• Your employer cannot terminate you for filing a Workers Compensation (WC) claim, and there are severe legal ramifications for those employers who do so.
• Accepting Workers Compensation (WC) does not always mean that you cannot seek legal remedy against your employer for your injuries. Only a skilled personal injury attorney can help you determine your rights based on your specific situation.

What You Should Do if You Are Injured At Work

If you are injured at work, you should immediately seek medical care and begin your road to recovery. Protecting your rights should also be a top priority and you should report your injuries to your employer in order to ensure that your employer will be held responsible for the costs of your medical care, time off work for recovery, and other incident-related expenses.

In addition, the Phoenix workplace accident lawyers at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. know that avoiding injuries is also important. You should take all necessary safety precautions, follow safety guidelines, and wear proper safety gear while you’re on the job. If you do not have proper gear, ensure that your employer is made aware of this fact in writing so it can be provided promptly and you can work safely.