What To Do If an Employee Is Injured on the Job

An on-site injury can be extremely stressful, both for the victim and for the person in charge. Workplace injuries vary significantly. The most frequently claimed injury is a sprain or strain, with a third of reports involving this injury (per Eastern Kentucky University). The next common thing is cuts, followed by bruises, inflammation, and fractures respectively. If an employee is injured on the job, it is important to stay calm and follow procedure. Here are four steps to take in this situation.


Get Immediate Medical Attention

Before you're dealing with a workmans compensation attorney or any insurance companies, you need to handle the situation. Get your injured employee immediate medical attention. No matter what happened or what happens after, this is a human who needs to be treated. Take care of them first.


Document Everything

You'll want a clear, accurate record of everything that happened once it's over. This is why it's essential to document everything. Take pictures with timestamps and get witness statements. That way you'll have it all in writing in case there are any disagreements about the events before and after the injury.


Follow Legal Guidelines

Depending on where you live, your government will have steps for you to take for reporting an injury to the proper channels. Follow these instructions and talk to your own higher-ups, if you have them. If you are in charge, talk to your own attorney about what steps to take next.


Stay In Communication

It is essential that you stay in open communication with everybody once the insurance companies get involved. Your employee may hire a workmans compensation attorney to represent them, so it is essential that you work with this person. Provide any documentation that they need and make sure that you are open and honest about everything. This will make the process go much smoother and will keep you out of any trouble that lying or hiding evidence would bring.


While it can be extremely intimidating and frustrating to deal with things like an insurance company or a workmans compensation attorney, it is important that you follow all of these steps when dealing with a workplace injury. This way, if anything unexpected happens while handling the aftermath, you'll know that you did everything correctly during and after the event.

Questions You Should Ask Your Workman's Comp Lawyer

December 18, 2023
Are you seeking workman's compensation for an injury? If so, you should consult with a workman's comp lawyer. These lawyers work to make sure that the injured worker gets the compensation they deserve and work to avoid unnecessary delays in processing claims. There are many questions you need to ask your workman's comp lawyer before hiring them. 1. How Much Experience Do You Have? One of the most important things to consider when choosing a workman's comp lawyer is how much experience they have. If you choose a lawyer who has little or no experience, it may be difficult for them to get you the compensation that you deserve. 2. Will You Handle My Claim from Start to Finish? A worker's compensation lawyer may have a team of professionals that help them with their work. This is helpful when you are looking for experience, but it can also be problematic because the other members of the legal teams may not focus entirely on your needs. A good lawyer will handle your case from start to finish and ensure they get all aspects of your claim correct, so you receive full compensation if this is an option. 3. What Is Your Fee? The fee that a workman's comp lawyer charges vary based on many factors, but the most important thing to consider is whether or not you can afford it. Some workmans comp lawyers offer free consultations so that injured workers know how much their fees will be if they decide to hire them for their case. 4. Will You Work to Get Me the Maximum Compensation? Every workman's comp claim has a maximum amount of compensation that an injured worker can receive. If this is your first time filing for benefits, you may not know how much money the insurance company will offer to settle with you. A good workmans comp attorney knows their case and will try every possible option to get the most money available for your injury. 5. Will You Handle My Claim on a Contingency Basis? If you want to make the most of your injury settlement, it may be best for you to hire an attorney who will work with their team of professionals on a contingency basis. If this is not possible or something that attracts you, then finding someone who charges lower fees than average should also suffice as long as they have ample experience in this field and are willing to help you every step of the way through your claim process. 6. Are You Available to Answer My Questions? The most important part of working with any kind of professional is knowing that you can ask questions at any time. Your workmans compensation lawyer should have an open line of communication so they can answer your legal questions, help you prepare for meetings and hearings as needed, and provide the information that will allow you to make decisions about how best to proceed. If a workman's comp attorney does not return phone calls or emails quickly enough for your taste, then it may be better if you choose someone who works more closely with their clients. Being available when people need answers is one way workmans comp lawyers set themselves apart from their competition. Remember, you want someone who is easy to work with and who will always have their best interests at heart. 7. What Kinds of Cases Have You Handled? Since every workman's comp claim is different, it can help to hire a workmans compensation attorney who has experience dealing with cases just like yours. Ask the professional how many claims they have handled over their career and what kinds of injuries are involved in most often. Some workmans comp lawyers specialize in specific types of injury litigation, which might be beneficial for you if this is an area where you need expertise. Workmans comp lawyers can help with any type of injury that is related to your job, including back pain, neck strain, head trauma, and more. The workman's comp lawyer you hire should be experienced and dedicated. They need to have a proven track record of success in getting injured workers their maximum compensation for their injuries.

Workers Compensation Insurance Requirements

December 18, 2023
Proper insurance is an integral part of any workplace. When you have a large number of employees, you are required by law to hold insurance to help protect them and yourself. Knowing what the requirements are, and a bit more about what workers comp is can help you learn all you need to know. What Is Workers Compensation Insurance? Workers comp insurance is a type of insurance that employers need to have in place to help cover the costs associated with workplace injury and accidents. If an employee is hurt on the job, they can file a workers comp claim where they can have their medical bills paid and may even get some money for time off of work. Though many people believe that these claims are all fraudulent, only about 1 to 2% of all workers comp claims are proven to be fraudulent, according to PBS. The claims process is not simple, however. You do have to have adequate proof and for that to stick, the help of a workers compensation lawyer might be needed. A workers compensation lawyer is one that is well versed in claims, how to file them, and how to appeal them in the chance that they are denied. Is Workers Comp Insurance Required? Each state has its own requirements when it comes to workers comp. Most states have a minimum number of employees for which you can go without a policy in place, and they may also have specific amounts of insurance that are required. Taking the time to learn what your state has set as thresholds and laws is important and can make a big difference in how you go about taking out your policy. Claims are not often denied unless there is some reason to believe that there is fraud present or if there is not enough supporting information to make the claim. Whatever the case, if you are having trouble filing your claim, a workers compensation lawyer may be your best bet to help ensure that you are going to get your claim sent through. It is important to note that if you are having trouble with your claim, you should take the time to figure out what your claim looks like and to make sure that you have all the proper information included and taken care of for a foolproof claim. For more information about workers comp, please don't hesitate to reach out to Little Schellhammer Richardson and Knowlan Law Offices. Our professionals will be happy to answer any questions that you have.
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