In the event that you are injured at work, it is essential that you take several steps in order to ensure that you receive the legal protection that you are entitled to. Whether you have a cumulative-trauma injury or in acute traumatic injury, you must be sure that your rights as a worker are upheld in the face of your struggle. If you are not adamant in ensuring that your employee rights after the injury are upheld, then you may run the risk of being exploited.

Benefits for time off
One of the most important things to consider after the injury is the possible waiting period for receiving employee benefits due to missed work. If you happen to miss work because of an injury, then there may be a chance that your employer request that you wait three days before you are paid. In the event that you are not compensated after three days are past, you are entitled to request your payment promptly. If you are denied benefits for time missed because of an injury, you should make a point to consult a lawyer. If you are unsure where to begin, contact the Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas to get the help you need to find legal assistance.

Medical instruction adherence
When receiving recommendations for a doctor about how to cope with your injury, please be sure to follow the directions to the letter. In the event that you fail to follow the directions exactly as prescribed, your employer might make the argument that you have intentionally elected not to receive care in order to capitalize on time off from work. If your care provider recommends that you abstain from doing certain things that work, then have it put in writing, and get two copies; one for yourself to carry at work, and another one for your supervisor to read.

Staying on top of contacts
It may be easy to overlook, but you should be sure to always keep detailed notes of all contacts that you have with anyone. The contacts for supervisors, doctors, representatives, and insurance company personnel should be well-organized in case they need to be reached for any reason.

A report/letter stating the details
You must be sure that your supervisor has adequately prepared an accident report, and if they do not do so, then it is your responsibility to write a letter stating the facts. Be sure to keep a secure record of the time that you presented a letter stating the facts of your injury to your supervisor.

Prompt reporting of the injury
Never neglect to report the injury promptly. From acute traumatic injuries to hearing loss, every injury should be promptly brought to the attention of the supervisor or on-staff nurse to make it clear that an injury has indeed occurred.

Sustaining an injury at work is never a pleasant experience, but it’s important to take the right steps to make sure you are taken care of. You will need to counsel with legal experts, medical professionals and more. With the right help, you can get back on your feet and get the care you deserve.