Skip to main content

Your First Steps After a Workplace Injury

Every year in the United States, about 3 million workers are injured on the job, most while simply completing the regular duties assigned to them. Getting injured at work can be a little intimidating, especially because you depend on your job — and your employer — for your income. It’s not surprising, then, that many people who sustain workplace injuries can be unsure about what steps to take after they’ve been injured on the job.

At Berkower Pain & Spine Rehabilitation in Pembroke Pines, Florida, David Berkower, DO, works closely with injured workers, helping them navigate the workers’ compensation process. If you’ve sustained a workplace injury, here’s a quick review of the first steps you should take when getting ready to submit a claim.

Three important steps to take following a workplace injury

First, if you have an accident or an injury that requires urgent or emergency care, the first thing you should do is seek medical care. Once you’ve gotten that care, there are three things you should do to make sure the workers’ compensation process gets off to a good start.

1. Report the accident

As soon as you can after your injury, report the incident to your employer. Your employer will probably have their own process for submitting your report. Be sure to follow those guidelines, and when filling out the forms, be very clear about when, where, and how the accident or injury happened. After you submit your report, make sure your employer gives you a copy, and keep the copy somewhere safe.

2. Keep good notes

In addition to keeping your accident report, you should also keep good notes about the claims process. Record the time, date, and conversations you have with your employer or their representatives, including any insurance company representatives. Also make note of the names of people who are present during the conversations or interactions.

Furthermore, keep copies of medical reports or other reports as well as copies of any emails you exchange with anyone from your company or their representatives. All of this information could become useful if your workers’ compensation claim winds up being denied.

3. Follow the doctor’s instructions

Dr. Berkower has extensive experience treating workers’ compensation injuries, which means he also has a lot of experience navigating the claims process. After your exam, Dr. Berkower will provide you with instructions regarding your care, including what medications you should take, what therapies you should undergo, and when you can return to work. 

It’s very important to follow his instructions carefully for two important reasons. First, following his instructions during treatment will help you recover quicker. Second, if you don’t follow his instructions, it might provide grounds for having your claim denied. If you don’t understand the instructions or you need any type of clarification, call the office. Don’t assume or make guesses.

Workers’ compensation is for more than just traumatic injuries

A lot of people think workplace injuries refer only to traumatic injuries, such as falls, car accidents, or being hit by an object while working. The fact is, many workplace injuries don’t involve an abrupt or acute trauma. Instead, they can be caused by repetitive motions, such as spending long hours bending, lifting heavy objects, or even typing. 

Some of the most common workplace injuries include nontraumatic injuries, such as:

Workers’ compensation includes all types of injuries, as long as the injury is related to your work. That’s why, if you have any injury stemming from your job duties, you should file an injury report and schedule an evaluation with Dr. Berkower.

If you’re one of the millions of American workers who winds up getting injured at work this year, workers’ compensation can help ensure you get the medical care you need to restore your health. To learn more about workers’ compensation evaluations, book an appointment online or over the phone with Berkower Pain & Spine Rehabilitation today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

When Is Tingling a Sign of Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy can cause debilitating symptoms, and like other medical conditions, it responds best to early treatment. Tingling is a common symptom you should know about. Here’s when tingling could mean you have peripheral neuropathy.

6 Risk Factors for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is more common than many people realize, and it tends to occur in people with specific risk factors. Read on to learn what those risk factors are, so you can decide if you might need to be evaluated.

How Arthritis Symptoms Affect Your Sleep

A common source of chronic joint pain, most people know that arthritis can make it difficult and painful to perform lots of activities. What’s less commonly known is that arthritis can affect your sleep, too. In this post, learn what to do about it.

The Toll Diabetes Can Take on Your Nerves

Many people know diabetes can affect vision and the kidneys, but what a lot of people don’t know is that it can take a toll on the nerves, too. Knowing what symptoms to look for can help you prevent permanent nerve damage.

Here’s When Nerve Blocks are The Best Treatment Option

Chronic pain can be debilitating, and sometimes, pain medicine and similar therapies aren’t able to provide adequate relief. In cases like these, nerve blocks can be a great solution. Here’s how to tell if they could be right for you.

Are Your Painful Symptoms a Sign of Radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy is a painful condition that’s caused by nerve compression or irritation. Prompt treatment is the key to feeling better and preventing more serious problems. Here are the symptoms to look for.