If an injury or illness arises out of and in the course of employment, you need to report it to your employer. It’s crucial to follow the right procedures to avoid mistakes that can lead to a delay or denial of workers’ compensation benefits.
So, how do you report a work-related injury?
Notify your employer as soon as possible
When you are injured at work, it’s vital to notify your supervisor, manager or employer as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days from the date of the accident. Or within 30 days of the date your doctor confirms you are suffering from a work-related injury/illness.
This timeline typically prevents employees from reporting non-work injuries that happen long after a claimed date, allows an employer and their insurer to inspect the scene and gather more information and lets an employer send an employee to an authorized medical provider immediately.
Additionally, reporting early allows an employee to create a clear paper trail that links their injury to their job duties, reducing the chances of disputes over whether the condition is work-related.
Failing to report your work-related injury within 30 days may result in your claim being denied. Your employer can use late reporting as a complete legal defense to deny your claim, or they may dispute causation of your injury, leading to a denial.
So, it’s critical to observe this deadline. Ensure you notify your employer in writing. You can give verbal notice at first when leaving to get immediate medical attention, and then send a written notice later. Even if a supervisor or manager witnessed the accident, you must still formally report the injury.
How you report a work-related injury matters. Get more information about the steps to take to protect your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits.