In order to be protected, you must have exercised a right granted by the workers compensation program. State laws differ as to what constitutes an exercise of this right. Some state laws require that you formally document the on-the-job injury with the employer or the workers compensation bureau. However, most state laws are written more broadly. For example, you may be protected when you have claimed or attempted to claim a benefit, made known your intention to file a claim, or even simply suffered a work injury, which is compensable under the workers compensation law. While in some states, you may still have protection against retaliation without formally filing a written claim for workers compensation benefits, the best way to make sure you are covered by anti-retaliation laws is to actually fill out and file the necessary claims documents promptly after you are injured.