Being injured on the job is a constant hazard for many employees. There are some industries that are more dangerous than others, but a workplace injury can occur nearly anywhere. If you have been injured at work, you may not know that your employer has several responsibilities to you.
In most states, companies of a certain size must have workers’ compensation insurance in order to cover medical treatment and compensate any employees who are injured. This isn’t the only thing that your employer may owe you, though. In fact, employers have several possible obligations to their workers that you should know about if you are filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Your employer may have a responsibility to:
- Post a conspicuous on-site notice that they are in compliance with the state’s workers’ compensation laws
- Supply emergency medical treatment immediately for any injured workers
- Provide additional medical treatment if the injured employee cannot select a doctor or has expressed a written desire not to do so
- Write a report of the accident or injury and send it to the appropriate workers’ compensation board and the insurance company. Failing to do so can be a misdemeanor.
- Maintain reports of every on-the-job injury that causes the worker to lose time from work or requires medical treatment beyond first aid
- Fully comply with the employee or the workers’ compensation board for any requests for information about the accident
- Not fire employees who have been injured on the job or reported their accidents to the workers’ comp board
- Not retaliate in any way against the worker for reporting the injury, seeking medical treatment or seeking adequate compensation
Being injured at work can be a huge headache: You must not only deal with your injury but navigate the complex process of workers’ compensation. Knowing your employer’s responsibilities to you could bring you one step closer to receiving the compensation that you need.