The steps you take immediately following a workplace injury can affect the type of benefits you receive. Alabama's Department of Labor will scrutinize what you did to mitigate further damage. Insurance adjusters are trained to factor in how sensibly you behaved after getting hurt. While every personal injury case is unique, there are a few actions that almost everyone can take following an accident at work.

What Should You Do After a Work Injury?

1. Inform a Manager

The first action to take is to tell your direct supervisor about the injury immediately after it happens. However, a severe injury could render you unable to inform them about the injury. In this case, writing a letter within 90 days of the accident is permitted by Alabama personal injury law. Failing to do so could disqualify you from receiving compensation. Consulting with a workers' compensation attorney can help make sense of less common situations regarding the notification of a workplace injury.

2. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

In tandem with reporting the injury, your injuries should be treated by a medical professional immediately. Even if you think the injury is not serious, you should visit a doctor. You can visit your primary care physician or the emergency room, depending on your circumstances and care. Then, you will want to make sure your treatment and prognosis are documented accurately. These records will be requested by the workers' compensation adjuster, so they need to reflect the reality of your injuries.

3. Submit a Claim with the Alabama Department of Labor

Upon notifying your employer of the accident, management should provide the forms that are required by Alabama laws during a workers' compensation claim. Filing these forms in a timely manner is critical to receiving compensation or reimbursement. A personal injury attorney can help you complete these forms to ensure all formalities are being met. Plus, the insurance adjuster could have follow-up questions, and an attorney can answer them in such a way that does not ruin your chance at receiving maximum benefits.

An injury on the job is difficult enough to manage without the pressures of meeting legal requirements to receive the compensation you deserve. The team at Carey & Hamner, P.C. will help you recover reimbursements and lost wages. This personal injury law firm has been helping people throughout Dale County, AL, since 2008. You can schedule a free consultation by calling (855) 435-4797 or visiting their website today.