If you were injured in an accident at work, you are probably entitled to worker’s compensation benefits. Your employer is required by state law to provide worker’s compensation insurance for their employees.
To protect your legal rights, keep the following in mind if you are injured in a work-related accident:
File an accident report. You should report any accident that you are involved with on the job, even if you don’t think you are hurt.
Lawsuits are generally barred under worker’s compensation laws. (You can’t sue your employer over workplace injuries.) One major exception to this is asbestos exposure and associated illnesses from asbestos exposure.
Your injury will not be covered if drugs or alcohol were involved. Some employers may require a drug test following a workplace accident.
Consult a doctor as soon as possible after a workplace accident.
Report injuries as soon as possible.
Follow up to make sure that your worker’s comp claim was filed. (You are entitled to a copy of the claim that was filed, and you should keep this for your records.)
Consult a worker’s compensation attorney to help you determine what benefits you might be entitled to receive.