4 reasons to report a workplace injury as soon as possible

On Behalf of O’Malley Tunstall PLLC | May 14, 2018 | Workers’ Compensation

When you have an injury accident at your job, you may want to try and deal with it on your own and not report it to your employer. You may assume your injury is not that bad, or you may fear retaliation from your boss. However, it is essential to report any workplace injury as soon as possible.

Despite the fact that getting into a workplace accident may feel embarrassing or scary, you should inform your employer as soon as possible. Here are some reasons why this is so important.

1. There will be a better investigation

It is vital for your employer and the insurance company to conduct a thorough investigation regarding your accident. If you want them to accurately determine the cause of your injury, you should file a report quickly. The sooner you file a report, the better you will be able to tell your employer what happened before your memory of the incident starts to fade.

2. You will get necessary medical care

Not only should you tell your employer about your injury, but you should also inform your doctor. In fact, the North Carolina Industrial Commission says it is crucial to tell your doctor your injury is work-related so he or she can bill it as a workers’ compensation claim. This will help bolster your claim and help you heal from your accident.

3. You will have a better chance at necessary compensation

Your goal is to get a sufficient amount of money to deal with your injuries. This may include hospital bills, prescription costs, lost wages and pain and suffering. If you want to have the best shot at getting a significant amount of money from the insurance company, you will want to make a prompt report. 

4. It is legally necessary

Apart from all of this, you should make a report quickly because it is required by North Carolina law. You must give your employer a letter describing the accident within 30 days.