Checklist: What to Do After A Work Accident

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2,607,900 nonfatal injuries and 5,190 fatal injuries due to work accidents in 2021. Clearly, workplace injuries are common, so workers should understand their employment rights and what to do if they are ever injured on the job. The experienced work injury attorneys at Morrow & Sheppard, LLP have an extensive track record to prove it. This checklist details the steps you should take after being involved in a work accident.

1. File an Accident Report with Your Employer

If you are involved in a work accident, you need to report it to your employer immediately. This is crucial because in order to receive benefits from worker’s compensation due to your work accident, the accident must be reported within 30 days after it happened. When filling out an accident report, try to include when it occurred, the names of other co-workers who were involved and/or who witnessed the accident, and other important facts and circumstances. This will increase your chances of receiving worker’s compensation benefits later on after filing your worker’s compensation claim (see below). Worker’s comp adjusters are great at finding every reason why you should be denied from receiving worker’s comp benefits and weaseling out of paying you what you deserve. Report the accident details and report them immediately.

2. See a Doctor

No matter how severe you think your injuries are, you should see a doctor as soon as possible after an accident. Even if you don’t feel like or think you are hurt, it’s better to get checked out now rather than later. Sometimes symptoms are not immediately apparent after an accident and show up later on. The longer you wait to see a doctor after an accident, the greater the chances that worker’s comp may deny you benefits later on. Worker’s comp adjusters love denying benefits to injured workers by claiming that “because you didn’t go to the doctor immediately after the accident, we don’t think your injury is a result of your accident” in order to deny you worker’s compensation benefits. Worker’s comp adjusters are not medical professionals and are not working on your behalf, no matter what they tell you.

3. File a Worker’s Compensation Claim

After you have reported your accident to your employer, you can find out whether or not your employer actually subscribes to worker’s compensation. A common misconception is that all employers have worker’s compensation…Not true. In Texas, employers have the right to opt out of subscribing to worker’s compensation. If your employer has worker’s compensation coverage, you should be eligible to receive benefits for your on-the-job injury. Worker’s comp benefits can help you get proper medical care, compensate you for some of your financial loss, and help you get back to work. It is up to your employer to file a workers’ compensation claim with their insurance company on your behalf. However, if you are injured on the job and your employer does not have worker’s compensation coverage, call Morrow & Sheppard, LLP immediately.

4. Injured at Work? Contact Morrow & Sheppard, LLP for a Free Consultation

Regardless of whether or not your employer has worker’s compensation coverage, if you have been injured at work, call us today at 800-489-2216 or fill out our contact form online to discuss your potential claim.  Morrow & Sheppard, LLP offers free case consultations with a licensed trial attorney. During the consultation, you will be able to determine whether or not you have a potential claim against your employer and/or any other potentially liable third parties who were involved in causing your accident. Morrow & Sheppard, LLP has extensive experience and a successful track record in dealing with work accidents and injuries.