What to Do If You’re Injured at Work

Suffering an injury at work can inflict double the pain if it causes you to miss time, and therefore paychecks. That’s why Georgia law protects workers who are injured on the job and guarantees them compensation benefits. But proving your injury happened at work can be more difficult than you think. It’s clear and obvious to you, because you’re the one who experienced it. But your employer might need more evidence.

Because we fight for workers’ rights every day, we know what evidence to gather to ensure our clients get the benefits they deserve. If you’re ever injured at work, it’s important that you know what to do to ensure your long-term safety.

• You should immediately call out to other employees for help. Not only can they offer assistance if necessary, but they can also serve as witnesses later. There’s also a chance that you’ll be unable to call 911, and in the event of a work injury, it’s better to be safe than sorry.  Even if you don’t require emergency medical treatment, it is best to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.
• Unless you need to go to the hospital, start collecting evidence at the accident site. Use the camera on your phone to document your injuries, the scene, and any accessory who was involved in the accident. If anyone witnessed the injury or showed up right after, ask them to complete a witness statement. If a fellow employee was present when you were injured and can testify that you were on the clock at the time, it may help substantiate your claim.
• Formally report the accident to your employer as soon as you’re able. The more time that passes between your injury and your report, the more it weakens your claim. Your employer might try to argue that if it did happen at work, you would have let them know sooner.
• You should see a doctor and get their professional medical testimony. First, see a doctor because you can’t know exactly what’s wrong unless a professional diagnoses you. Secondly, their opinion can make the difference in proving your injury is as serious as you claim. Their testimony is crucial for proving that an ailment is not a sudden injury but one that has built up over time at work, instead of sudden injuries.

Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Working with experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can help alleviate some of the stress that comes with a work-related injury. Contact us at 404-991-5097 or online for a free consultation.