What to Do if You Suffer a Workplace Injury

Hurt on the Job in Virginia? Virginia injury lawyer Julie Heiden provides a detailed checklist of things to do if you are hurt on the job in Virginia.Watch the Video

If you suffer an injury at work, two things become paramount: your health and your workers’ compensation rights. The Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC workers’ compensation attorneys at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P. have compiled a list of things you should do if you get hurt on the job to protect your workmen’s compensation.

• Notify Your Employer (Supervisor, Foreman, Etc.) As Soon As Possible after You Become Injured. Employers and insurance companies often deny an injured worker’s claim because the worker never notified them of the workplace injury. The safest course of action is to notify your employer in writing that you suffered an injury on the job.
• Seek Medical Attention Immediately. Getting immediate medical attention is the best thing to do for your health, but another big reason to seek immediate care is that any significant delay allows the employer or insurance company to claim that you did not get hurt at work. Tell the doctor you see about all of your injuries, however slight they may seem.
• File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Promptly. For District of Columbia claims, you must file your claim within one (1) year of the injury date; you must file Maryland and Virginia claims within two (2) years of the injury date. Delaying filing your claim only serves to delay resolving any disputes about disability benefits and medical treatment. Do not assume your employer or its insurance company will file your claim with the appropriate state agency.
• Do Not Give A Recorded Statement To Any Insurance Company, Unless Your Attorney is Present. Furthermore, do not sign any papers or forms unless you know what they mean.
• Watch What You Say. Everything you say “can be used against you.” Do not talk about your case with anyone except your lawyer, your lawyer’s assistant and your doctors. Be aware that your doctors will often repeat what you say to them in medical reports.
• Keep Your Appointments With Your Doctors. Your job is to be a good patient. Follow your doctors’ orders and treatment and do not stop seeing your doctors until they tell you that your treatment is complete. Failure to follow your medical providers’ instructions may not only be bad for your health but also unfavorable for your case.
• Get A Disability Slip Every Time You Go To The Doctor. In order to receive disability benefits, you MUST provide a disability slip with your doctor’s signature and the dates you are unable to work because of your injury. Even if your doctor states you can return to light-duty or full-duty work, do not leave your doctor’s office without a disability slip in hand.
• If Your Doctor Releases You To Light-Duty Work, Immediately Contact Your Employer. You must ask your employer if there are any light-duty jobs available that meet your doctor’s physical restrictions. Update your attorney about any changes to your work status, and advise your attorney about whether your employer has offered you a light-duty or full-duty position.
• Stay With Your Treating Doctor. Once you have started treatment with a doctor, do not change doctors or go to another doctor unless your treating doctor refers you to another doctor or the insurance company authorizes treatment with a new doctor.
• Inform Your Attorney If You Return To Work In Any Capacity. The insurance company may be entitled to reimbursement for any overpayments it made if you do not inform it promptly and properly that you have returned to work.
• Keep Track Of All Workers’ Compensation Checks You Receive. Copy the check, keep a stub if there is one or record the appropriate information from each check (dates of disability covered, amount of check, date issued and/or postmark).
• Send Your Attorney Copies Of Any Medical Bill You Receive At Home. Even if the insurance company has accepted your case as compensable, your attorney will not know whether the insurance company has paid your medical bills unless you send your attorney every bill, every time. If you receive a bill or collection notice, send a copy to your attorney, even if you think it is a duplicate.
• Inform Your Attorney About Any Other Changes. You should notify your attorney immediately if your circumstances change. If you go to the hospital, visit a new doctor, start work, stop work, miss work after returning or get in a new accident, you should contact your attorney’s office right away.
• Contact Your Attorney’s Office About Any Change Of Address Or Phone Number. Your attorney cannot help you if he or she cannot get in touch with you. If you move or get a new phone number, submit your new information to your attorney’s office as soon as you can.

An on-the-job injury can cause a host of problems, and the physical pain could only be the half of it. Protect your financial situation by seeking work compensation if you get hurt performing your job, and seek legal counsel as soon as possible after you receive medical help. The Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC workers’ compensation lawyers at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P. can assist you with your claim. Contact them today for a free initial consultation.