Your first week after a work injury
The first seven days decide more than people expect. Here is what to do, in the order it usually happens.
Tell someone at work, and put it in writing
Tell your supervisor out loud, then send a short text or email the same day: what happened, where and when. Keep a copy. Reporting deadlines are short in every state, and "my boss knew" is harder to prove than a message.
See a doctor and say it happened at work
Don't wait to see if it gets better. Tell the nurse and the doctor the injury happened on the job, so the visit goes to workers' compensation and not to your own insurance. If your employer gave you a list of doctors, ask which ones you may choose.
Keep what you're given
- The claim form and any letters from the insurer
- Discharge papers and work notes
- Photos of the injury and the place it happened
- Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw it
Be careful on the phone
An adjuster may call quickly and ask for a recorded statement. You can say you'd like to think about it, or have someone with you. Answer honestly, and don't guess at dates or details you aren't sure of.
Call us if anything feels wrong
A late check, a refused treatment, a boss who suggests you drop it: these are signs to call. A first conversation with us costs nothing, and we will tell you plainly whether you need a lawyer. Rules differ by state, so this guide is general information, not legal advice.