I Got Hurt on the Job: What Should I Do?

Workplace injuries are extremely common, affecting millions of workers in the United States every year. Besides making it difficult or impossible to do your job, a workplace injury can take a toll on other aspects of your life, too.

Knowing what to do in the aftermath of a workplace injury is essential for ensuring you receive the right treatment at the right time — and that you don’t suffer any financial losses, either.

At Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, Hawaii, our expert team offers workers’ compensation evaluations to diagnose and assess your injuries and recommend appropriate care. 

Here, we explain what you should do if you’ve been hurt at your workplace or when engaged in off-site tasks for your employer.

1. Seek emergency care if needed

It might seem obvious, but if your injury is serious, your first step should be seeking emergency treatment by calling 911 or, if it’s close by, having someone take you to the local ER right away. 

2. Keep detailed notes and records

Throughout your care, make it a priority to keep detailed notes and records. Begin by writing down everything you can remember about how your injury happened and what you were doing when it occurred. 

Take photos if appropriate, and keep copies of every communication, including written letters, emails, and any documents from your employer, doctor, or workers’ comp representative. 

For phone conversations, keep detailed notes about what was said. Afterward, it’s a good idea to follow up with an email recapping everything that was discussed on the phone. These records can help you submit any initial paperwork and serve as proof or evidence to support your workers’ comp claim.

3. Report your injury to your employer

As soon as possible, report your injury to your employer. Prompt reporting is necessary to initiate a workers’ compensation claim and to support the seriousness of your injury. 

Your employer will submit the initial paperwork for your claim. Reporting your injury as soon as possible ensures your claim is processed without delay.

4. See your doctor

It’s also important to call our office to schedule an exam and evaluation right away. This initial visit provides important information necessary for your workers’ compensation claim, and it also helps determine if you’re fit enough to work in a full or partial capacity — or not at all. 

And of course, your injury evaluation appointment also includes recommendations for care and treatments focused on helping you feel better, too.

5. Follow your treatment plan closely

Once our team prescribes treatment, it’s essential to follow those recommendations precisely. Veering from your recommended care plan can interfere with your claims process, delaying your claim or causing it to be challenged or denied. If you have any questions or confusion about your treatment plan, call the office for clarification.

6. Know the process

If you’ve never filed for workers’ compensation in the past, it’s easy to feel confused or overwhelmed by the process. During your visit, we can answer your questions and help you understand what to expect. You can also find plenty of information at the state’s Disability Compensation Division website, including this helpful pamphlet that describes the process in more detail. 

Care and compensation for your workplace injury

Workers’ compensation can help you get the treatment and financial reimbursement you deserve if you’ve been injured during the course of your job duties. 

To schedule your workers’ comp exam and receive care for your injury, request an appointment online or over the phone at your nearest Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy office in Kihei, Kahului, or Lahaina, Hawaii, today.