Employers are responsible for accidents and injuries that occur in the workplace. Workplace accidents happen quite frequently and can often range from minor scrapes and falls to life-changing events. In any case, it is important that the injured party record and report any incidences to their employer.
Why Documenting a Work Accident is Important.
Workers’ compensation requires an employer to pay medical bills and lost wages for an injured employee. However, the amount received depends on the assessment conducted by a medical professional and by the employer’s insurer. Having sufficient evidence is essential to ensure an injured employee gets the correct amount of financial compensation.
How to Document a Work Accident
The first thing an employee should do after experiencing a workplace injury is to document the work accident.
Tell your employer. Your employer needs to know about the injury as soon as the injury occurs. This is important because a workers’ compensation claim begins when an employer is notified about an injury. You have up to 30 days from the date of injury to report the injury to your employer. If you do not let your employer know about your injury within 30 days, you may not get benefits. In the case where the employee lost their lives in a work accident, the family usually has a specified number of days to make a report to the employer. Your employer should provide you with information about workers’ compensation.
Complete a Workers’ Compensation Form. Each state has its own standard document of basic information about the injured party. This form will ask for a description of the work accident and witnesses to the accident. It will also ask what effects the accident had on an employer’s ability to continue working. A copy of the Texas workers’ compensation form available on the Texas Department of Insurance.
Document your injury. You should always keep copies of all documents for your own safekeeping. This becomes important should a dispute arise either with your employer or with your insurance company. In that case, you need to prove the extent of your injuries. Documentation can include a written description and a timestamped video or photograph. This evidence will help to inform the insurer that the injury occurred and that it occurred while working on the job.
Should you consult with a medical professional about your injuries. In such a case, the medical provider must submit a medical form with their observations to your employer as soon as possible.
If you have any questions or are unsure about your rights to worker’s compensation after a workplace injury, contact our attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas. Our legal team can help you navigate the process of filling out forms and correspond on your behalf with your employer.
