Do You Know What to Do After a Work Injury?

Posted on June 2015    

Work is hard, even without having to worry about contracting an illness or suffering a serious injury. Getting hurt on the job makes it harder for you to continue working, leaving injured employees in a real rut.

Many employers, and the state’s Workers’ Compensation system, can make it difficult to recover compensation after a workplace accident. Employees don’t always have the same rights to compensation that others might have under North Carolina personal injury law.

Insurance companies can complicate matters too. Your employer may carry Workers’ Compensation insurance. If so, the insurance company might try to coax you into a settlement that ultimately offers less than you truly deserve. In other cases, your claim might be altogether denied (often unfairly).

Workers are then left with something of a mystery about how to properly proceed in the aftermath of a workplace accident. Where do you turn? What forms do you file? Are certain steps more strategically advantageous than others? How can you get answers? What are your rights?

At DeMayo Law Offices, we understand how frustrating and intimidating it can be to deal with a workplace injury. The system is not easy to navigate and you can’t necessarily rely on your employer to guide you. Your best interests are not theirs.

Do you know what to do after suffering a work injury?

Seek Medical Care Right Away

People have a tendency to underestimate their injuries. In the heat of the moment you might be so distracted by the fear of negative repercussions, or even by embarrassment, that you don’t really understand the severity of your injury.

Of course, in most cases, medical problems don’t manifest themselves right away. From hairline fractures to internal organ damage, problems both mild and severe can take time to start showing symptoms. Some injuries are detectable only upon medical examination.

That’s why it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Don’t try to make medical diagnoses yourself. Go to the hospital or call 911 right away. Otherwise, make an appointment with a doctor right away. Don’t wait weeks for an appointment, as unnecessary delays may impair your legal interests. Should you ultimately file a claim for compensation, a documented medical visit will serve as an important part of your case.

You Must Notify Your Employer

The law requires you to promptly notify your employer after any work-related accident or illness. It is important to make your employer aware of the injury as soon as possible. Properly notifying your employer and adhering to required deadlines can be a complicated initial step in moving forward after being hurt at work. A Charlotte workers’ compensation law firm such as DeMayo Law Offices can help you answer any questions that you may have concerning the initial steps of moving forward after you have been hurt on the job.

Hire the Right Lawyer — It Can Make All the Difference

Once you’ve seen a doctor and notified your employer, the official claims process starts.

Unfortunately, that process can be long, unnerving, and uncertain.  Without a skilled legal representative to fight for their rights, injured workers are relatively defenseless against the workers’ compensation system.

That’s why it’s so important to work with a passionate and knowledgeable attorney. Your rights under the law may be much more extensive than you realize. In fact, it’s sometimes even possible to seek compensation outside of the workers’ compensation system, depending on the specific facts and circumstances of your case.

DeMayo Law Offices has years of experience in handling workers’ compensation claims throughout North Carolina. We understand how important financial compensation is and we’ll leave no stone unturned, seeking everything you may be entitled to.

If you or a loved one has been hurt on the job in North Carolina, and you’re wondering what to do next, give our office a call. We’ll treat you and your family with the fairness and respect you deserve.

We will not charge for our services unless there is a successful outcome in your case. We offer free consultations in-person and over the phone. Free case evaluations are available right now. Speaking to DeMayo Law Offices about your work injury will help you understand your rights under North Carolina Workers’ Compensation law.

Please contact us for a free consultation today.