Any kind of injury has the potential to traumatize a victim. Getting hurt is not just physically painful—it is often emotionally taxing and financially straining as well. The impact of an injury might be even worse when it happens at work. You were simply trying to do your job, but instead, you suffered an injury that might make you unable to work for a while. What do you do, and what are your responsibilities?
Your employer has several obligations that must be fulfilled, but you also have a few responsibilities that you must keep in mind following an injury at work. Following are three examples of the responsibilities that you must act on after you have been injured on the job—no matter how big or small the injury.
1. Report your injury
The first thing you must do after an injury is often the hardest. According to the State of New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, you must report your injury to your employer and follow whatever procedure is in place for such situations. It is important to abide by your company’s protocol for injuries, but if you are asked to sign anything, you should consult an attorney first.
2. Document everything
Immediately following your injury and report, you should begin documenting every aspect of the incident. Take photos of your injuries as well as any circumstances on the site that might be relevant. In addition to photographic effort, keep a journal of the recovery process and make note of any symptoms you are experiencing.
3. Get medical care
Of course, medical care is the most important responsibility you have following an injury. You are less likely to have a workers’ comp claim approved if you wait to receive treatment. What’s more is that your condition may worsen if you do not seek medical care immediately following your injury. See a doctor as soon as possible and get the treatment you need.