Hurt at Work? Advice From Macon, GA Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Workplace accidents are not uncommon, especially for employees who carry out physically demanding tasks day in and day out. But even people in low-risk positions could experience an event that leaves them injured. If you have recently suffered an injury on the job or are curious about what to do if you ever get hurt at work, you’re probably wondering what your immediate steps should be.

After an injury, it’s crucial to seek medical treatment, report the injury to your employer within 30 days as required in Georgia, and gather necessary documentation like medical records and accident reports. Since filing for workers’ compensation can be complex, partnering with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help ensure you receive the benefits you deserve, covering medical costs, lost income, and other expenses. Legal experts can handle negotiations with insurance companies, improving your chances of fair compensation.

What Is Considered a Workplace Injury in Macon, GA?

A workplace injury is any injury that occurs while in the scope and course of your employment.

Some types of workplace injuries can include:

• Slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents
• Physical strain from heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or other physical activities
• Repetitive trauma
• Accidents involving heavy machinery
• Driving or other vehicular accidents
• Chemical burns
• Electrocution
• Severe burns
• Work-related illness or disease, such as lung disease, certain cancers, asbestosis, or carpel tunnel syndrome

Some places where you can get hurt at work include:

• In the office or on company property—It’s possible to sustain an injury while doing your job in the office or on company property, whether you’re working during regular office hours or outside of office hours.
• On a jobsite—Employees in the construction industry or service industry who often work out of the office can sometimes sustain injuries while at the day’s jobsite.
• On the road—If you have to travel for work, you could find yourself involved in an accident that could lead to injury. While traveling to and from work does not usually qualify, traveling to and from a jobsite or second location for work-related reasons typically does count.

What Do I Do After a Workplace Injury?

If you have gotten injured on the job, there are a few things you need to do to start the healing process and the workers’ compensation process:

Step #1: Seek Medical Treatment

If your injury cannot be treated with a first-aid kit, seek medical help. Even if you feel as if the injury is minor, it’s wise to have a medical professional examine the injury and start you on the road to recovery. From minor issues like sprains and joint pain to broken bones, deep cuts, and anything more severe, let a doctor or medical provider evaluate and treat your injury.

In addition to getting treatment and setting yourself up for a successful recovery, medical treatment means that your injury will be documented. This will come in handy when you file your workers’ compensation claim.

Step #2: Report Your Injury to Your Employer

Another early step if you get hurt on the job is to report the event and the injury to your employer or supervisor. Not only does your employer need to know the status of your physical condition, but they also need to understand that it occurred because of a condition or event that took place at work or on the job.

If you plan to file a workers’ compensation claim after your injury, failing to report it in time could cause your claim to be denied. In Georgia, employees have 30 days to report an injury or occupational illness following the accident or discovering a work-related illness. It’s best to report your injury sooner rather than later.

Step #3: Gather Any Necessary Documents

Hold on to your medical record and documentation and request a copy of the accident report from your employer. In some workplaces, the employer does not have a policy or process for creating a report. If that is the case for you, write a detailed letter explaining everything that happened. Give a copy to your supervisor or employer, and hold on to a copy for yourself. Even better, you can ask them to sign your copy of the letter, acknowledging that they have seen it.

Step #4: Partner With a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

On the surface, filing for workers’ compensation sounds easy enough. But time and time again, employees lose out on benefits they are owed or do not receive the correct compensation from insurance companies. This is primarily due to them not having the knowledge they need to fight for what they deserve.

Workers’ compensation attorneys like the ones at Buzzell, Welsh & Hill work day in and day out for hard workers whose lives have been disrupted by workplace injuries. Getting hurt on the job can lead to significant medical bills, rehabilitation costs, loss of income, and even death expenses should an injury lead to the worst possible outcome. The team at BWH understands this and works to get our clients the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve to pay their bills, replace lost income, get back on their feet, and get back to work.

When you partner with a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer, your legal team will work on your behalf, talking to the insurance company for you and improving the amount of compensation you can receive.

Have you been hurt at work in Macon, GA, or Middle Georgia? Schedule a consultation with Buzzell, Welsh & Hill today.

Our skilled, experienced workers’ compensation attorneys have recovered millions for our clients who have sustained a workplace injury or developed an occupational illness. We specialize in personal injury, worker’s compensation, and social security disability and are ready to fight on your behalf to receive the benefits you deserve.

Talk to us about your workers’ compensation case today: 478-217-2072

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