What Should I Do Immediately After an Injury at Work?

No one plans for a workplace injury. You’re heading for the printer one moment, and the next, you’re on the floor. Brushing off workplace accidents to avoid drawing attention or risking your job is natural, but taking even minor on-the-job injuries seriously is essential.

At Sawers & Sackel, we understand you don’t want to lose critical income. However, there are some steps you must take immediately after suffering an injury at work to preserve future workers’ compensation claims. If you don’t know what to do after a Western New York workplace accident, confidentially call our dedicated workers’ compensation lawyers to discuss your case.

Step 1: Obtain Medical Assistance

Even if it’s embarrassing, you should go straight to the doctor after a workplace injury. This may mean leaving work, but linking your injury directly to a workplace accident with medical records is essential. This helps prevent workers’ compensation insurers from denying the injury that occurred on the job.

Step 2: File a Written Report

Even if medical assistance is not immediately necessary, you should follow workplace procedures and file a written report with your supervisor. Ensure this report is in writing and filed as closely as possible to the time of the accident. Our lawyers recommend sending a date-and-time-stamped email or text letting your boss know that you suffered an injury, the nature of the accident and injury, and requesting proper incident report forms. This critical evidence may help prevent claims denials.

Step 3: Gather Evidence

According to the National Safety Council, most workplace injuries result from the following:

1. Overuse: Cumulative use injuries – often to the back, wrist, and elbow – sustained due to repetitive motion. These may include sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tennis elbow.
2. Strikes: Falling objects and equipment may cause concussions and other serious head and neck injuries.
3. Falls: Slipping, tripping, and scaffolding accidents account for many disabling workplace injuries in New York, including fractures, brain trauma, and spinal cord damage.
4. Chemical exposure: Sudden or long-term exposure to workplace chemicals commonly causes severe burns, respiratory illnesses, and cancers. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for illnesses and injuries.

After a fall, take photos of any substance or condition, such as a dropped pen, that might quickly ‘disappear.’ It’s also essential to gather the names and contact information of co-workers or third parties who witnessed the accident. Do not count on employers to do this. They do not want to be held liable. If you start experiencing back or wrist pain, you might also take photos of your chair or computer or videos of your daily tasks to prove your cumulative use claims.

Step 4: Call a Dedicated Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you’re not sure what to do after a workplace accident, don’t panic. You can always call the experienced Western New York workers’ compensation lawyers at Sawers & Sackel to schedule a free and confidential case consultation. We may be able to help you file a workers’ compensation claim and preserve critical evidence after a Buffalo job accident. Call us immediately after suffering an injury at work to protect your right to compensation.