What Employees Should Do After a Workplace Accident

Getting injured on the job can leave you in a state of shock and confusion. Following the proper procedures is essential to protect your future injury claims and ensure your rights. As top Rhode Island Workplace Injury Attorneys, we’re here to tell you exactly what to do if you get into a workplace accident. 

Rhode Island Workplace Injury Attorneys Tell You What To Do After A Workplace Accident

If you are injured while on the job or in the workplace, you should take certain steps to protect your workers’ compensation claim. Here’s advice from a workplace injury lawyer RI trusts.

1. Seek immediate medical attention

Your health and safety is the number one priority. Even if you feel like the injury is minor, you should still be examined by a medical professional, as certain injuries do not present immediate symptoms. Moreover, seeking immediate medical attention also helps document your injuries – otherwise, the insurance company may claim your injuries happened after the fact.

2. Report to your employer

Time is of the essence – workplace injuries must be promptly reported to your employer, who is supposed to file a workers’ compensation claim with the statute of limitations in Rhode Island for workers’ comp claims. Let your supervisor or human resources department know about your injuries as soon as possible.

3. Make sure your employer filed the claim

The statute of limitations in Rhode Island for filing a workers’ comp claim is ten days, meaning that if your employer fails to report an accident within that time frame, your benefits may be jeopardized. When informing your employee about your injuries, make sure they are documenting your report in writing. If you remain unsure, a workers compensation attorney can help you figure out if your employer took the appropriate steps. 

4. Thoroughly document the incident

Documenting the incident as well as possible is essential to ensure your employee rights, and also to help your workers compensation attorney if further legal action is needed. Rhode Island Workplace Injury attorneys often rely on such evidence when building a case. This includes:

• Photographs of your injuries 
• Photographs of the accident scene
• Contact information of any witnesses at the scene
• Documentation of whether or not the incident was due to an ongoing safety issue
• Any video or audio recordings or pictures of the incident from other witnesses or security camera

5. Do not post about the incident

Discussing your accident on social media can damage your claim. Opposing parties and insurers will keep an eye out for any social media posts that potentially could contradict your claim in order to deny or reduce benefits. 

6. Work with experienced Rhode Island Workplace Injury attorneys

Trying to navigate the complexities of a workplace injury claim while recovering from your injuries can end up costing you a significant amount of money. An experienced Rhode Island workplace injury attorney, Tapalian Law will hold the insurance companies accountable and ensure you get the benefits you deserve so you can recover from your injuries. 

Work With One Of The Top Rhode Island Workplace Injury Attorneys Today

David Tapalian is one of the most experienced Rhode Island workplace attorneys around. If you were injured in a workplace accident, contact Tapalian Law for a consultation today.

FAQs

What constitutes a workplace injury?

A workplace injury is an unforeseen accident ending in injury that happened while an employee was carrying out workplace duties on the employer’s premises. 

Does Rhode Island require employers to carry workers’ compensation?

Yes, Rhode Island employers are required to have a certain amount of workers’ compensation insurance. 

What should I do if my workers’ compensation claim is denied?

You should contact a workplace injury attorney, who will evaluate your case and take the necessary steps.