Reporting A PA Work Injury: Steps & Best Practices
Steps & Best Practices for Reporting a PA Work Injury
Work injuries can impact an employee’s well-being and livelihood. Injured Pennsylvania workers should know how to report a workplace injury promptly and effectively to protect their rights. Proper reporting starts the workers’ comp process and protects your legal rights. To receive the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve, proper reporting is critical.
Use our guide of the steps and best practices for reporting work related injuries and occupational diseases in PA.
The Importance of Reporting Workplace Accidents and Injuries
When injured at work, prompt reporting helps both injured workers and employers. For employees, timely reporting ensures quick access to medical care and eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits. For employers, it allows for timely investigations, implementation of preventive measures, and compliance with Pennsylvania law.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reporting a Work Injury
Notify the Employer
Report the injury to your employer right away. Make sure to report your work accident within 21 days. If you do not report the injury within 120 days of injury you may lose all rights to benefits.
You should always notify the employer in writing. Make sure to include details about the work accident. The details should include: the time, the location, how the injury happened, and the nature of the injury. Filing a claim requires notice to your employer, and you may need to prove you gave it later.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If injured, prioritize your health and seek medical attention right away. This ensures proper care for the injury and creates a record of the incident. Make sure to tell the doctor everywhere you have experienced pain since the work injury.
Complete Incident Report Forms
Employers typically have an incident report form for injured employees to fill out. Complete this thoroughly and accurately. Make sure to provide all the details about the work injury.
Keep Records
Keep a copy of all the documents related to the work injury. This includes incident reports, medical records, emails, and any communication with your employer or the insurance company. This may serve as evidence to prove the claim later.
Best Practices for Effective Reporting
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Report Injuries Promptly
Time is crucial when reporting a work injury. Delays might result in problems or disputes over the validity of your claim and your ability to collect compensation.
Be Honest and Accurate
Give truthful and detailed information about the work injury. Include information about how it happened and the impact it has had on your health and your work.
Keep Communication Open
Maintain communication with your employer, the human resource department, and the healthcare providers throughout the process.
Seek Legal Advice
Think about talking to a workers’ compensation lawyer. Issues may come about at any time once you report a work injury. An experienced attorney can protect your rights.
Employer’s Role and Responsibilities
Employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment and to handle reported work injuries properly. They should:
Document reported injuries accurately
This should include a fair and honest description of the work injury.
Investigate the work incident promptly
They should investigate to see what went wrong. They should also fix anything unsafe to prevent future work injuries.
Provide necessary forms and guidance to the injured employee
They should give the injured worker the forms to complete. They should also help the employee going through the process.
Facilitate access to medical care and workers’ compensation benefits
They should help to get the employee into see a doctor right away. Further, they should do the right thing and pay the injured worker the workers’ comp benefits they deserve. They should also file the workers’ compensation claim with the insurance company.
Conclusion
Following this guide can help get a claim accepted quickly. Unfortunately, in practice, many employers do not do what they should do. At the time of an injury, always have a lawyer look into your case. Make sure your employer treats you right from the beginning.
For questions on reporting or help with your claim, schedule a free and confidential case evaluation today. Call our office 24/7 at (215) 609-4183.
