An accident in the workplace can be challenging as you deal with medical treatments and potential time away from work. Although most Minnesota employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to address such situations, there may be cases in which a worker’s classification may fall outside this protection. In other cases, it may be tempting to ignore a seemingly minor injury suffered in the work environment. However, complications arising from infections or other issues might not present symptoms until some time after the accident. Prompt filing of a report and attention to medical needs is important.
In addition to establishing a record of the injury by filing an accident report, you may prevent additional complications by treating the injury rather than worsening the condition by continuing to work. Failure to report an incident could also lead to problems in later obtaining compensation for a workplace injury. You might be reluctant to report an accident if you were at fault, but it is important to remember that workers’ compensation is based on the fact that an incident occurred during work, not on the reason for the incident.
In some cases, a work-related injury could lead to hardships because of medical or financial issues. Legal information from a lawyer may be helpful in such a situation. This may also be important if you have been misinformed about your rights to make a workers’ compensation claim or if you are unsure of your eligibility.
With valid information, you may be able to proceed through proper channels at work as you file a report or seek medical care for an injury. You may also clarify your rights related to time away from the job for treatment and recovery. Visit our workers’ compensation insurance page for more information.
Source: Lindberg Law, “Injuries From On-The-Job Accidents“, September 03, 2014