Following an On-the-Job Injury, What Should I Do?

If you have been injured on-the-job, the success of your Workers’ Compensation claim lays with how well you follow the proper procedure in the aftermath of your injury. Read on to discover exactly how you should approach your Workers’ Compensation Case.

 Immediately following the injury…

If you are injured on your job it is important to report the job injury immediately to your supervisor or to the human resource department where you work. Ask to complete an incident report, this is very important. Get proper medical attention as soon as possible.  Remember to give the doctor or other health care provider a good history of how you were injured.  Giving a good history is very important in proving your case.

 Filing a claim…

Actually filing a claim with the Maryland Worker’s Compensation Commission is the responsibility of the injured party, not the responsibility of the employer or their insurance company.

Oftentimes, people are confused by reporting an injury to their employer’s insurance company versus the Maryland Commission.

A claim with the Commission should be filed as soon as possible but no later than two years after your accident or one year following disablement from an occupational disease.  At Jenkins Block, we oftentimes file the claim with the Commission electronically in behalf of our clients.

 Knowing your rights…

Frequently, employers and or their insurance company try to dictate where an injured worker is treated for their injuries.  But the fact is that an injured worker has the right to be treated by a doctor of their choosing following a compensable injury in the State of Maryland.

In many cases, insurance companies have a nurse case manager assigned to a case.  Nurse Case Managers serve an important role in assuring that an injured worker gets prompt care.  However, it is important to remember that when you are being examined by your doctor you have the right to be examined without a Nurse Case Manager in the examining room who has been assigned to your case.  After the examination, we feel that is the time for the NCM to ask your doctor questions in your presence about your care.

 Communicating well…

We advise all of our clients to always cooperate with their employers and to communicate with their employer’s about their current medical condition.  If an injured worker is authorized to return to light duty and the employer can accommodate that restriction, we always advise our clients to do that.

Don’t forget that an injured worker is entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses to and from treatment.

There are many issues that arise in a Worker’s Compensation case well beyond this blog.  Keep in touch for future explanations of an injured worker’s rights

Remember if you are injured on the job, contact Jenkins Block and Associates immediately.