3 Things To Know About Documenting Injuries When Hurt At Work
When you are hurt while you are working, it is important to take the time to fully document all your injuries. Documenting your injuries is important if you need to move forward with a worker's compensation claim. Proper documentation is necessary if you want to get financial assistance as you work to heal from your injuries.
Thing #1: Make Sure You Document All Injuries on Your Accident Report
First, you need to make sure you document all injuries you sustained in the accident when you are filling out your injury report for your place of work. You need to write down not just the big injuries but the little injuries as well.
If you have a small scratch on one arm and a big gash on your other arm, be sure to document both injuries. If you have bruises, write those down, or if you have any places that feel soft or sensitive but are not bruising yet, note those as well.
You want to write down every place on your body with a scratch, bruise, bump, or that feels sore or hurt. A detailed and accurate injury report is necessary, especially because you don't know what part of your injury is going to end up being serious.
Thing #2: Make Sure Your Medical Report Is Accurate
Second, you need to make sure your medical report is accurate. Let the doctor know that this is for a worker's compensation claim or a workplace accident, and stress to the doctor that it is important that they note every injury you have in their notes.
In addition to written notes, you can ask your doctor to take pictures of your injury and add those pictures to your medical records as well. Your doctor's report is going to come into play with your worker's compensation claim, so you need to make sure it is accurate. Ask to read the notes and verify the accuracy before the end of your appointment.
Thing #3: Be Detailed with the Worker's Compensation Claim
Finally, you are going to need to fill out an official worker's compensation claim. When you fill out the official worker's compensation claim, you are going to need to be sure you are detailed. Use a body diagram and mark everywhere you were injured.
Be sure to not just include visible injuries, but include any area where you have aches, pains, and discomfort. You need to be detailed on the worker's compensation claim as this claim is the start of your process of getting compensated for your injuries.
When it comes to documenting your injuries when you are hurt in a workplace accident, you need to make sure you accurately note your injuries on your accident report, worker's compensation claim, and in the doctor's official report. Make sure the injuries you report are consistent across all three claims. Keep in mind that soreness, pain, and discomfort, in addition to visual injuries, such as a cut or bruise, should be documented as well.
For more information, reach out to a worker's compensation attorney.
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