You are having your run-of-the-mill Wednesday at work until something bad happens. You miss the third rung on the ladder coming down, or your foot slips as you are walking up the stairs. Suffering an injury while on the job can be embarrassing, painful and stressful. After you get hurt at work, follow these three steps to ensure you get the treatment you deserve.
- Tell a Supervisor
After you get hurt, you may have the desire to keep it under wraps for more than one reason. However, this can backfire if you wind up with serious injuries. Sometimes a simple trip and fall at work can leave you sidelined and off the job for days or longer. You should always tell a supervisor what happened as soon as you can. Don’t try to hide your mishap to save face. It may wind up costing you down the line.
- Report the Incident to a Supervisor
Do not feel reserved about reporting the accident to a supervisor or boss. Even if you feel fine at the moment, report it. Incidents that go unreported will be more difficult to prove under iowa workers comp laws. Keep in mind that pain may creep in days down the road, and you want to protect yourself at all costs.
- Get Medical Help
Employers are required to carry insurance called workers’ compensation to cover and protect employees who suffer injuries while working. The coverage is there to help cover necessary medical intervention and treatment. You should get checked out by a doctor following an accident. If you have reported the incident, your supervisor can tell you if there is a specific clinic under Iowa workers comp laws that you should attend.
Injuries are never something fun to deal with. When you get hurt at work, your first instinct might be panic. Instead, follow these three steps and ease your anxiety in an effort to get better sooner rather than later.