What to Do When Hurt or Injured at Work
While you can never be completely prepared for getting hurt at work, knowing what to do when injured at work can help ensure you get the benefits you deserve. Accidents and injuries at work happen suddenly, often when you least expect it. Getting hurt at work can impact your physical health and well-being, while putting your financial security in jeopardy. Fortunately, South Carolina workers’ compensation benefits are available to assist you in getting the help you need, in the form of medical care, treatment, and reimbursement for lost wages, in addition to disability payments and job retraining in the event your injuries prevent you from returning to work.
What to do When Hurt or Injured at Work
The workers’ compensation program acts as a form of insurance to provide injured workers benefits they need in order to recover from job-related illnesses and injuries. Locally, these benefits are administered through the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC). In order to better ensure your eligibility for benefits, you need to know what to do when injured at work. Here are a few steps to take in the aftermath of an accident.
- Notify Your Supervisor
For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222
As soon as you get hurt at work, or at the first signs of injury or illness, you must report it immediately to your manager or shift supervisor. Make note of the exact time of the accident, what you were doing when you were injured, and the name of the supervisor you reported it to. When explaining how you were injured at work, stick only to the facts, and make sure the names of any co-workers who may have witnessed your injury are recorded.
- Get Medical Attention
Regardless of the type of accident you were involved in or how minor your injury or symptoms may appear, seek medical attention immediately. There may be a list of approved medical providers for employees to use when hurt at work, or you may see your own provider or seek treatment through your local hospital emergency room. Make sure your doctor is aware that your injury is job-related, follow their instructions, and do not return to work until you have been approved to do so.
- Inform Your Employer
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Under South Carolina workers’ compensation laws, you do have up to 90 days to notify your employer of your injury at work. The sooner you do this, however, the sooner you can begin receiving benefits. Write a brief letter providing the date that you were hurt at work, the supervisor you notified at the time, and a description of the accident and injuries that resulted. Keep a copy for yourself, and send the letter certified with a return receipt, so you will have proof of sending it.
Get Help From an Experienced South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you are hurt or injured at work, contact Anastopoulo Law Firm right away. Our workers’ compensation attorney can advise you on what to do when injured or hurt at work to help get your claim approved. Call today.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
