Even when the highest level of precautions is taken, accidents and injuries still happen in the workplace. The purpose of workers’ compensation is to take care of employees injured on the job, but certain steps must be taken after an injury to protect the claim. At the Johnson Law Firm in St. Peters, our knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorneys are here to assist after a workplace accident and zealously advocate for the compensation you deserve for your injuries. To learn more, call or contact our office today to schedule a consultation.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

The first step you should take after a workers’ compensation injury is to seek immediate medical attention, even if you believe that the injury is minor. The purpose of this is twofold — first, it allows a healthcare professional to diagnose and begin treatment of your injuries. Some serious injuries do not present symptoms immediately after an accident, like internal bleeding, but do require immediate care. Second, seeing a doctor right after an injury creates contemporaneous documentation that can be critical evidence when proving the extent of your injuries in a workers’ compensation claim.

Inform Your Employer

The next step you should take after a workers’ compensation injury is inform your employer about the accident. Under Missouri law, an employee has 30 days from the date of the accident to inform their employer about the accident, and failure to do so could result in any claims for workers’ compensation being thrown out as void. Informing the employer begins the process of the workers’ compensation claim and allows you to start receiving benefits after a workplace accident.

Hire an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Finally, you should seek the legal counsel of an experienced Missouri workers’ compensation attorney to handle your claim. A knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney will take the burden of the legal claim off your shoulders so that you can focus on your recovery. The lawyer will handle all communication and negotiation with your employer about the status of your recovery and the amount of benefits you are entitled to under workers’ compensation law.

Once you have reached maximum medical improvement, your attorney can ensure that you receive any continuing benefits that you may be eligible for and receive the accommodations you need to return to work. Finally, if there is a disagreement about your benefits with the employer or the insurers involved in the claim, your attorney can make the best possible arguments for your case and, if necessary, take your claim to court. A lawyer can also handle any appeals if it becomes necessary to take your claims to a higher court.

Talk to Our Office Now

Workers’ compensation is meant to protect employees injured on the job, but it is important that all the necessary steps are taken after an accident to protect the workers’ compensation claim. To learn more about what you should do after a workplace accident, call or contact the Johnson Law Firm today.