When you go to work, you expect that your workplace is safe. Your employer is supposed to make sure that you won’t end up injured as a result of recognizable hazards, and everyone on the job should receive the training necessary to avoid serious accidents.
Despite that, people get hurt on the job all the time. When that happens, employers have steps they must take to stay in compliance with labor laws. Here is what you should know about what your employer needs to do after you’re hurt on the job.
What does an employer need to do after a workplace injury?
The employer’s first responsibility to any employee is keeping the workplace safe. By law, employers must provide a safe working environment.
After an injury, an employer must file a First Report of Injury or similar document. This document has to be forwarded to the workers’ compensation carrier for review. Your employee, at the same time, should head to the doctor or emergency room for treatment immediately upon injury.
Employers must also work with the insurance carrier. Employers usually need to provide payroll information and the personnel file of the injured worker. It’s normal for the insurance agents to ask to speak with the co-workers and supervisors who know the employee and who were present at the time of the injury.
Employers also have to welcome injured employees back to the job when they are physically ready to return. It is against the law for employers to penalize employees or to fire them as a result of an injury on the job. If an employer does this, then an employee has a case against him or her for wrongful termination or retaliation, and the employer could face criminal or civil charges.
What should you do if you’re hurt on the job?
The primary thing you need to do is to report your injury. No employer can help you if you don’t let him or her know that you have an injury. You can let your employer know before or after you go to the hospital, depending on the severity of your injury. Remember, your health is the most important factor in any case, so you should seek help as soon as possible if you’ve suffered a workplace injury. Your claim can be made soon after you receive care, but you need to start the process by seeing a medical professional.
