Even though you do your best to protect against a workplace injury, you never know what could go wrong in the future. You could fall down the stairs as the result of a loose railing, trip and fall on a construction site or develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you’ve suffered a workplace injury, it’s critical that you immediately report it to your employer. Neglecting to do so will complicate your ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits should you be unable to immediately return to work.
Here are some tips for reporting a workplace injury:
- Tell your supervisor: This is the first person you should go to, if possible. If they’re not available, report the accident to your HR department. And in the event of a serious injury, you may need to ask a co-worker to do this for you.
- Don’t say too much: Yes, you need to report the accident and your injury, but don’t go any further than that. You don’t want to say something they could use against you in the future.
- Take notes: If possible, take notes regarding the conversation you have with your supervisor or HR department. At the very least, write down who you spoke with, the date and time, what you said and their response.
When you take these steps, you’ll find it easier to report a workplace injury. And once you do that, you can turn all your focus to your health and legal rights.
If you’re eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits, don’t stop until you set your eyes on an approval letter.