Immediate Steps to Take After Experiencing a Career Threatening Injury

Suffering a career threatening injury can be a frightening experience. The physical pain and suffering aside, the fact that you might not be able to work for the foreseeable future can make you feel anxious.

As unnerving as the situation might be, it is important for you to take certain steps so that you can receive the compensation and benefits you are entitled to under California law.

Steps to Take after a Career Threatening Injury

Get Medical Help

Call 911 or ask one of your coworkers to get you to the emergency room right away. Tell the doctor that your injury or illness is work related. Do not try to exaggerate or hide any symptoms from the doctor.

Report Your Injury

As soon as you are physically able to do so, inform your supervisor or employer that you have been injured or that you have developed a work-related health condition. Do not – for any reason – wait to report your injury or illness. If you fail to inform your employer about your career threatening injury within a span of 30 days, you might not be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

Fill Out The Workers’ Compensation Form

After you report your injury, your employer will provide you with a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC 1). You need to fill out the ‘employee’ portion of the form and give it to your employer. Once you do, your employer will fill out the ‘employer’ portion of the form and give it to the claims adjuster.

Contact a California Workers’ Compensation Attorney 

This is perhaps the most important step you need to take after suffering a career threatening injury. It is critical for you to be represented and guided by a skilled workers’ comp attorney, as it is the only way you can make sure your rights are not violated by your employer or the insurance company at any point during the claims process.

The attorney will review your claim, tell you what kind of benefits you are eligible to receive, and make sure you do not make any mistakes that could delay the claims process.

In case your claim is unfairly denied by the insurance adjuster, your attorney can help you challenge the decision by filing an appeal with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB).

Follow the Doctor’s Instructions

While recovering from the injury, it is important for you to follow your doctor’s instructions. Not doing so can not only affect your recovery, but also make it difficult for you to receive all the benefits you are entitled to.

Need to File a Claim for a Career Threatening Injury? Thomas F. Martin Can Help You!

If you have suffered a career ending injury, attorney Thomas F. Martin can help you get the compensation and benefits you deserve. Over the last 25 years, Mr. Martin has handled thousands of work injury claims and helped his clients get the compensation and benefits they are entitled to under the law.

A highly successful workers’ compensation attorney, Thomas F. Martin is aware of all the underhanded tactics that the insurance company might employ to delay or deny your claim. He can counter them effectively and help you get a substantial compensation that covers the cost of your medical care and lost wages.

For a complimentary consultation, call us at 714-547-5025 or fill out this contact form today.