Earning workers’ compensation for a workplace injury is not a guarantee. While worker’s compensation is a common benefit, it is still possible to miss out. To get the compensation you need to cover the steep costs of a workplace injury, you should:

1. Seek medical attention.
2. Alert your employer of your work injury.
3. Verify your employer filed the paperwork.
4. Review the insurer’s decision.
5. Consult with an attorney.

Learn more about the five steps to report a work injury.

Step 1: Get medical attention.

Your health always comes first after an accident. If you have been hurt on the job, seek medical attention immediately. The documentation from your medical treatment can also confirm your condition after your accident and provide you with supporting evidence in your compensation claim.

Step 2: Alert your employer of your work injury.

For your employer to do their part for a workers’ compensation claim, they need to know about the accident. After you have received medical treatment for your injuries, report directly to your employer and inform them about the accident. You have 30 days to report a work injury, so do not wait.

Step 3: Verify your employer filed the paperwork.

The Employer’s Report of Injury form is a vital document for the employer’s insurer. Your employer has seven days to submit the form, and you will usually receive a copy of this completed form when they submit it. If you do not receive this document near the deadline, get in touch with your employer to ensure they send the document.

Step 4: Review the insurer’s decision.

Once the insurance provider receives your work injury compensation claim, they will decide if you qualify for benefits and how much you will receive. Once you receive confirmation of their decision, you can respond to it. Rather than immediately accept the offer you receive, you have the option to negotiate, which brings us to the final step.

Step 5: Consult with an attorney.

Before you accept an offer for your workplace injury, speak with a workplace injury attorney to make sure you have effectively reported your injury. Experienced legal representation can also help you build your strongest claim for compensation, which may increase your settlement. To schedule a free consultation with Golitko & Daly, call us at 317-566-9600 (Indianapolis), 765-865-9300 (Bloomington), or 812-566-2600 (Kokomo), or complete our online inquiry form*. If you were harmed through medical treatments or neglect, we hope to hear from you. We have offices in Indianapolis, Kokomo, and Bloomington to serve you.