A workplace injury can completely turn your life upside down. Whether it’s a minor sprain or a life-altering accident, it sets off a chain reaction of medical, legal, and workplace protocols. How your employer responds can significantly impact your recovery and your rights. But here’s the thing: not all employers handle these situations responsibly. Some ignore their obligations, while others actively make things worse.
What Your Employer Must Do After an Injury
Your employer isn’t just there to write paychecks. When an injury happens, they have legal responsibilities. And no, “just walking it off” isn’t one of them.
- Ensure Immediate Medical Care: Your employer must facilitate medical attention. If your injury is severe, this means calling emergency services or directing you to an approved clinic or doctor (depending on local laws). For non-urgent cases, they should still provide guidance on where to seek care and ensure you’re seen by a medical professional quickly.
- Provide Workers’ Compensation Support: Employers are generally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Delays in this process could affect your ability to get medical treatment or financial benefits. That means they must:
- Provide the necessary paperwork for your claim.
- Help you complete it, or at the very least, not interfere with the process.
- File their portion of the claim promptly.
- Investigate and Fix Safety Issues: If a workplace hazard caused your injury, your employer has a responsibility to investigate the incident. They should identify what went wrong and take steps to prevent similar accidents. Whether it’s fixing faulty equipment or retraining staff, ignoring safety concerns isn’t just careless—it’s dangerous.
- Avoid Retaliation: Retaliation isn’t just unethical; it’s illegal. If your employer demotes you, cuts your hours, fires you, or harasses you after reporting an injury, they’re breaking the law. You have a right to a safe work environment, both before and after an injury.
Your Responsibilities to Protect Yourself
Your employer has duties, but so do you. Slacking on these steps could harm your claim or recovery.
- Report the Injury Immediately – Don’t wait. Notify your supervisor, manager, or HR department as soon as the injury happens. Ideally, put it in writing. Many jurisdictions have strict deadlines for reporting workplace injuries, and missing those deadlines could jeopardize your claim.
- Seek Medical Attention – Even if the injury seems minor, get checked by a medical professional. Not only is this important for your health, but medical records also serve as evidence for your claim. Follow your doctor’s orders to the letter—missing follow-ups or disregarding treatment could give your employer or their insurance company a reason to deny your claim.
- Document Everything – Start a paper trail. Record how the injury happened, the time and date, any witnesses, and who you reported it to. Save copies of medical records, treatment plans, and any correspondence with your employer or insurance provider. Documentation is your armor if things get messy.
Call an Attorney
You don’t need to suffer in silence or navigate a confusing system alone. At Feldman Legal Group, we fight for employees who’ve been wronged after a workplace injury. Whether your employer is delaying your claim, denying benefits, or retaliating against you, we’ll step in and demand the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you get what’s rightfully yours.
(877) 946-8293