Getting injured on the job may leave you confused and at a loss about what to do. If you are reading this article, you are probably looking for answers after experiencing a work-related injury. Our firm has put together steps you can take following an injury at work that will protect your right to compensation. After an accident or illness keeps you or a loved one away from work, it is vital to consult a knowledgeable Cincinnati workers’ compensation lawyer at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy about your claim. Our lawyers can explain each step you need to take, what documents are important, and how we can support you throughout your claim.
Report The Accident To Your Supervisor
After suffering an injury, the employee must report the incident to his or her supervisor and complete the First Report of Injury form available online. If the employee’s injury is an emergency, the supervisor or employer may file the initial claim. The employer or supervisor may point the employee to the website where he or she can fill out the form after seeking medical assistance. The claim will be assigned a number and a service specialist will contact the employee that suffered the injury. The employer or supervisor may point the employee to the online website to fill out the form after seeking medical assistance. However, the MCO will also become involved in these cases either at the beginning or after the injured party files the claim. An assigned claim number and service specialist will begin the process and contact the employee that suffered the injury. It is important to ensure that your employer has started the process.Seek Medical Attention
When the injured person needs medical assistance, he or she can see any doctor for the initial visit. After that, he or she has the right of choosing any doctor that is BWC-certified. If you see a doctor who is not BWC-certified, you may have to pay your expenses out of pocket. A list of BWC-certified doctors is available online. Once the employee gets to the doctor, he or she will need to explain that it is a work-related injury. It is vital to follow all necessary steps with workers’ compensation claims to avoid paying the costs and bills for medical care. The doctor can assess the following:- If the injury will require the employee to miss work
- How long the employee will not be allowed to work
- When the individual should return to light duties
- If there is a temporary disability
- When the employee can return to standard work duties
Keep An Injury Journal
An injury journal is a source for recording certain details about the accident, the current situation and specific issues that the employee may not remember later. He or she can also keep track of the following aspects of his or her claim:- Pain and suffering from the injury
- Complications with medication
- Missed days at work
- Medical purchases, expenses and additional costs
