I Got Hurt on the Job: What Should I Do?

Worker injuries and illnesses are down since the 1970s, according to an OSHA study, which is fantastic news for the health and safety of working Americans. But it’s important to remember that these problems can still occur. 

Prevention is important, but so is understanding how to handle being hurt on the job and what you need to do in order to receive workers’ compensation.

Injury and Health Urgent Care goes above and beyond when it comes to helping our patients after a workplace accident. Our providers — Melissa Kempf, MD, and Shannon Wait, DNP, APRN, FNP-C  — believe it’s important for you to receive effective, well-rounded care after being hurt at work.  

Getting hurt on the job isn’t unlikely 

Yes, there are certain professions that have a much higher likelihood of on-the-job accidents. But anyone from a construction worker to an office employee can get hurt at work. And being aware of the danger — as well as knowing what to do if it happens — is crucial. 

We often think of occupational injuries as those that occur when a person is doing a dangerous job. But they can happen in the most mundane of workplaces as well. What’s more, we also think of them as happening as a result of negligence on the part of the employee or employer. But accidents happen even when people are doing their jobs properly in a safe environment.

Any injury that occurs as a result of doing your job is considered a workplace injury. And if this happens to you, you probably qualify for workers’ compensation. But how do you make sure you get it? 

What to do after being injured on the job

Here are some steps to take if you’ve gotten injured at work:

Start documenting 

Make sure you document everything that happened as soon as you can. If you’re unable to do so because of your injury, ask a coworker, friend, or family member to help. Starting your documentation as early as possible will allow you to show how your injury has affected you and your ability to work. 

Tell your employer

Make sure that you’re clear with your injury early on and don’t try to hide it. If you wait to come forward, it could potentially be used as a reason to deny your workers’ compensation claim. Employers should consider your health above all else and help you get whatever treatment you need, but we know this isn’t always the case… 

Visit a medical provider

That’s why, many times, it’s important to seek out your own treatment and to do so in a timely manner. We recommend coming in immediately. Again, waiting too long could cause problems for your claim. 

When you visit a clinic like ours, we’ll help you determine what, if any, treatment is necessary for your immediate health as well as if you require any additional care down the road. We also know that getting treatment sooner rather than later often has a much better effect on recovery outcomes. 

But that’s not all. We’re happy to document the visit, as well as the care we provide, which will be helpful when you’re trying to fill out any paperwork. We can also help you with this, and in the case that you may need one, assist you with seeking legal counsel. 

Did you get hurt on the job? 

We know how stressful and frightening a workplace accident can be, and when it’s followed by a fight for workers’ compensation, it only causes more problems. Fortunately, we’re here to make the entire process easier and safer.

To visit our office in San Antonio, Texas, call 210-879-3521, or book an appointment online. We’re here to help.