If you got seriously hurt at work, you may wonder how you will eventually return to your job and continue to earn a living. A workplace injury can not only make it hard to get back to work but also take care of your responsibilities in your personal life.
The workers’ compensation system can provide benefits after you incur injuries at work. However, you must take certain steps following the accident to preserve your right to these benefits.
Seek medical attention
After the accident occurs, seek medical attention from a physician right away. If you do not need emergency medical attention, ask your employer if there is a preapproved doctor you should see to treat your injury.
Notify your employer
As soon as you can following the accident, notify your employer about what occurred. You should provide this notice in writing and include information like the date and time of the accident, where the accident happened and what kind of injuries you sustained.
Understand the benefits available to you
You may be eligible to receive several types of workers’ compensation benefits following the accident. For example, according to the Massachusetts’s Workers’ Compensation Guide For Injured Workers, you could be eligible for temporary total incapacity benefits, partial incapacity benefits, medical benefits or permanent and total incapacity benefits.
It usually takes several weeks to start receiving benefits through the workers’ compensation system. If your original claim to benefits receives a denial, take legal action to protect your right to these benefits, so you can improve your chances of a full recovery.
