I think I’ve been injured at work, now what?
Consult an attorney
Consulting with a workers compensation attorney who will guide you through the process can help maximize your end result for your work injury claim, call 818-230-3110.
Steps to Take When You Suspect You Have Been Injured at Work
Many workplace injuries are obvious while others may not be so clear. The two different types of injuries recognized in the state of California are:
- Specific Injuries
- Cumulative Trauma Injuries
Specific injuries occur on a specific date and time. For instance, you bend over and lift an item which causes your back to lock up or you trip over a loose cord, fall to the ground and injure your wrist.
Cumulative trauma injuries are due to repetitive work activities that cause injury over time. Over a period of days, weeks, months or even years, the pain and/or problems you experience at work steadily worsens until you need to seek medical attention and, perhaps, cannot continue working. In many instances the repetition is physical, such as you needing to bend and twist repeatedly. Typing all day can also result in carpal tunnel syndrome, a common workplace injury.
Another type of cumulative trauma injury is exposure. Being exposed to paints, solvents and other hazardous materials can cause skin reactions, breathing problems, stomach issues and even cancer.
At any point if you suspect that your medical condition is partially or entirely impacted by your duties in the workplace, it is important to take the following steps:
The First Step to Take after Being Injured at Work
If you have been injured at work, the first thing to do is to report your injury to a supervisor, a manager, or someone of authority in your workplace.
After reporting the injury, you should be provided with a Claim Form which you will need to fill out and return to your employer to start the claim investigation process. It is highly suggested that you fill out the Claim Form with the assistance of an attorney. You can email or telephone Turchin Law with any questions you may have.
Once you return the completed Claim Form to your employer, they have 90 days to investigate your claim at which point they can either:
- Admit that the injury occurred at work
- Deny that your injury is work-related
Seek Medical Treatment as Soon as Possible
After advising your employer that you have been injured at work you should also be offered medical treatment. If medical treatment is not offered, you have every right to ask for it.
Should your employer state that you are not entitled to a medical evaluation, make sure that this is confirmed in writing. Denying you medical treatment is a prohibited denial of your right to see a physician following a claim injury.
In these situations, it is in the best interest of an injured employee to contact Turchin Law at their earliest convenience to protect your rights and to ensure that a claim has been established. Seeking medical help from the best physician for your case and making sure your initial paperwork if properly completed is a very important part of establishing a successful claim for work comp benefits.