Each year, thousands of American workers are injured on the job. Workplace accidents are common events and no worker should be afraid to seek medical care or file a workers’ compensation claim if their injury prevents them from working. Fortunately, there are legal protections in place that ensure injured workers receive access to valuable workers’ compensation benefits while they recover from their work-related injuries.
If you’re ever injured on the job, you need to follow the proper protocol, otherwise you could lose access to the benefits you deserve. Follow this advice if you’re involved in a workplace accident in New York:
Step 1
Obtain necessary medical treatment right away from a healthcare provider who is authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board unless you have an emergency situation. If your employer participates in a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), you may have to obtain your treatment from a healthcare provider who participates in the program. Our advice is to ask your employer about this.
Step 2
Notify your boss or supervisor about the workplace accident in writing as soon as possible. If you fail to notify your superior about the injury and how it occurred in writing within 30 days of the accident, you could lose your right to valuable workers’ compensation benefits.
If you have an occupational disease, you must notify your employer within two years of the disablement, or within two years of the date you should have known that the disease was work-related, whichever occurs later.
Step 3
Contact our firm to secure legal representation from a skilled workers’ compensation attorney. We will help you file your workers’ compensation claim in a timely manner. After you have secured our representation, make sure that you:
- Follow all of your doctor’s instructions so you heal properly.
- If you are required to have an Independent Medical Examination, make sure that you have it done promptly.
- Return to work once you are physically able and get the green light from your healthcare provider.
- If you are notified to appear at any hearings, be sure to attend as required.