Immediate Next Steps to Take if You Get a Workplace Injury

October 17 2020 - Sign in, be productive, enjoy your workspace and coworkers, then go home. That should describe your basic every day 8-hour workday, but nope.

Accidents happen, and like any other employee, you could experience a workplace injury.

Workplace injuries can affect your financial fluidity for the rest of your life. Depending on the severity of the injury, you could be out of work and pay for weeks. Sometimes months.

If the injury is permanent, you could end up receiving disability for the rest of your life. It's common knowledge disability payments aren't very lucrative payments. Not to mention the time it takes to receive your first check.

You could end up relying on family and friends for income for months.

If you get injured at work or involved in a workplace accident, don't wait. Continue reading to find out your immediate next steps.

Stop and Examine Your Workplace Injury Right Away

If you're injured on the job, don't get up walk away like everything's okay. Remain still and examine the severity of your injury.

First, decide if you need medical attention that requires more than an office emergency medical kit. Call for help so that a member of the management staff can assist you right away.

If the staff member is properly trained in first aid, they'll know how to aid your injury.

Get Medical Assistance

A band-aid isn't always the cure-all, so don't let anyone talk you into letting one suffice. When an accident happens, the excitement of it can reduce the gravity or the seriousness of the incident.

Worse, you could experience an adrenaline rush that diverts your concentration away from the pain you're feeling. Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

Allow a medical professional to determine how much medical attention your injury requires.

Don't let the fact that you feel fine in the moment trick you into believing you're okay. Hours after the intensity of the moment wears off, you're left with severe pain and damage to your body.

Report and Document Your Injury

After you cooperate with medical officials and get the proper help, report your injury. Have a member of the human resources department or your supervisor take your statement and document it.

Make sure they describe the following in the report:

• What caused your injury?
• If it was your negligence or caused by a misplaced item in the office - wet floor, furniture, etc.
• Was your injury preventable?
• Is there still a risk in the office?
• Were you alone or are there witnesses?

It's important to have your report as detailed as possible. Include photos if you have them.

Be sure to get a signed copy of the report and ask them to place one in your work file. You may need your copy for later if the situation becomes legal and you hire a local law firm.

Know What to Do

No one wants to experience a workplace injury, especially when it alters your life. Note these steps and take charge if this happens to you in the future.

Would you like more information like this? Check out our health guide for further deets on how to live productive and healthy.

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