What Are My First Steps After a Workplace Accident?

If you have been hurt in a workplace accident in Charleston, it can be difficult to know just what to do. In South Carolina, workers are protected under the worker’s compensation program. This system provides for financial protection so injured workers can recoup medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits. No one expects a workplace injury, so when it happens, it can easily become overwhelming. The worker’s compensation program is meant to help injured workers, but the legalities can be complex and difficult to navigate without experienced help from a Charleston workplace accident lawyer.

Important Steps

In order to safeguard your rights and make sure you receive all that you are entitled to under the law, there are some important steps you need to take:

• Seek Medical Care – After any workplace accident, seeing the doctor should be your first priority. Even if you are not sure if your injury is serious, problems can develop and your condition may worsen. Without proper medical care, you risk your health and your right to a claim. Make sure you follow all your doctor’s orders and get to all your follow-up care appointments.
• Notify Your Employer – Your second priority should be to inform your employer of the accident and injury. In South Carolina, you must report the injury within 90 days of the accident. Explain the accident and how it happened, as well as any injuries you have. Make sure you file a report with your employer—don’t rely on your doctor or your boss to do it for you.
• Meet With a Workplace Injury Lawyer – Meeting with a qualified and experienced workplace injury lawyer is the best thing you can do to safeguard your rights and effectively navigate the worker’s compensation program. Our Charleston workplace accident attorneys can help you complete all the necessary forms and meet the required deadlines to file your worker’s compensation claim.

If you have been hurt on the job, call the experienced workplace accident attorneys at Steinberg Law Firm today at 843-720-2800 for your free consultation. We represent clients throughout the Charleston, South Carolina region.