If you sustain injuries while on the job, you may be entitled to compensation.

The problem is, some employers will go to great lengths to make sure that they’re protected, while the employee is left to figure out what to do next. If this situation sounds familiar, then this post is for you.

Today, we’re going to discuss work related injuries and give you a short guide for how to ensure that you’re not hung out to dry. It can be overwhelming to take action in these situations but follow this work related injury advice and you’ll see that there’s a clear path forward for you.

Get Medical Attention

Depending on the type of injury you’ve sustained, you may need immediate medical attention. Even if you aren’t severely injured, you should still see a doctor so that your accident is on the record with your employer. Not all injuries will make themselves apparent right away and symptoms could show up far down the line.

Should you skip this step, when you go to apply for workers’ compensation, your injuries could be called into question. It’s always better to have the medical evidence available when you need it. Either go to the hospital or see a doctor of your choosing; don’t see a physician that your employer or their insurer refers you to, as they may have ulterior motives.

Report the Accident

Your eligibility for financial compensation hinges on you going through the process the right way. Aside from needing immediate medical attention, you should first report the accident to your employer. In some states, not reporting a workplace accident within 30 days of it occurring means you forfeit your right to compensation.

Filing an accident report immediately will ensure that the accident is on record as it occurred. Should you start feeling symptoms down the road, from something like muscular damage or head trauma, then you can refer back to your accident report.

Fill out the workers’ compensation form as accurately as possible and mail it to the nearest workers’ compensation board. Your employer’s insurance company will have access to this form, so it needs to be filled out correctly.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Once the workers’ comp process gets started, you’ll probably want to start talking to a personal injury lawyer. Collecting benefits if you get hurt on the job is never guaranteed and you can bet that the insurance company is going to do everything they can to downplay the role your employer had in your injury.

A great lawyer will have a deep understanding of workers’ compensation laws. They’ll help you understand what to do after a workplace injury, as well as your rights, the benefits you’re eligible to receive, and how much your case could be worth. It can be intimidating to go against your employer’s insurance company, so hiring a lawyer can make the process much easier for you.

Don’t Let Your Work Related Injuries Slide

Now that you know what to do after sustaining work related injuries, you can find a good lawyer and fight for what you deserve. Not all employers are going to try to minimize your workers’ compensation claim, but when they do, you have to be prepared to go the distance.

If you found this post helpful, come back again for more on health, work, and technology.