Rhode Island is a great state for many reasons – one being how they protect employee rights if a workplace injury occurs. If you are injured in the workplace, your next steps are crucial to ensure you receive the workers’ compensation you are entitled to for your injuries, vocational rehab, and lost wages. In this article, an experienced Providence workers compensation lawyer breaks down the steps you should take to protect your interests.

What Should I Do If I’m Injured On the Job?

Getting injured on the job can leave you feeling overwhelmed and confused. What are you supposed to do now? How does insurance work, and how are you supposed to survive while taking time off work? 

What you do after your injury is critical – here’s what you should do to ensure you get the workers’ compensation claim you’re legally entitled to.

1. Immediately report your injury

Time is of the essence after a workplace injury. In Rhode Island, workers must report any incidents resulting in injury on the job to their employer as soon as possible. Make sure to also file a written report in order to have evidence of the report. Prompt injury reporting – ideally in writing – ensures that the employer will start the paperwork process in a timely manner.

Even if you don’t think your injury is severe, it’s crucial to not wait. Many injuries take hours, or even days, to fully manifest, and the longer you wait, the more likely the insurance company will claim your injury happened after the incident. A small back strain that turns into debilitating pain down the line may end up not being covered if you don’t report promptly. 

2. Seek medical care

Your health should always be the number one priority. Seeking immediate medical care not only ensures your physical well-being, but also provides documentation of your injuries for your claim. Make sure to document and keep receipts for everything, from treatments and appointments to diagnosis and prescriptions. 

As a top Providence workers compensation lawyer, our firm will help you gather and organize evidence such as medical documentation to build the strongest workers’ compensation case possible. 

3. Filing for workers’ compensation benefits

In Rhode Island, the employer must file for workers’ compensation after the employee submits a claim. Under Rhode Island law, injured workers may receive benefits covering:

• Weekly wage replacement
• Medical treatment
• Vocational rehabilitation if the worker is unable to return to their previous job

How A Providence Workers Compensation Lawyer Can Help

While workers’ compensation is supposed to provide a straightforward way for injured workers to have their medical bills and lost wages covered, dealing with insurance companies can be tricky. Insurance companies are always looking to protect their bottom line, and will do anything to deny or underpay workplace injury claims. An experienced Providence workers compensation lawyer will help you navigate the process and ensure you get the benefits you are legally entitled to. 

As a workers compensation attorney Providence residents trust, we’ve helped thousands of Rhode Island workers navigate workers’ compensation claims and get the compensation they deserve. Providence workers compensation lawyer David Tapalian and his team will help you evaluate your case to determine the full extent of the compensation you are due, gather evidence to support your claim, deal with insurance companies, and represent you in court if insurance companies refuse to pay what you’re owed – though it rarely comes down to that.

Call A Providence Workers Compensation Lawyer Today

If you were injured on the job, a Providence workers compensation lawyer can help you get the benefits you need to get back on your feet. Call Tapalian Law for a consultation today. 

FAQs

What should I do after a workplace injury?

Immediately report the injury to your employer and seek medical treatment.

Why shouldn’t I talk to insurance companies myself?

You should never speak to insurance companies because they may use whatever you say against you to reduce or deny your claim; instead, a workers’ comp attorney will negotiate on your behalf and project your interests.

Who files a workers’ comp claim after an injury?

In Rhode Island, you must notify your employer of the injury, after which the employer files the first official “report of injury” and the insurer begins the claims process.