Whether you handle heavy equipment or work at a desk, every job has potential injury risks. You might get hurt because of a forklift malfunction or by slipping and falling in your workplace.
No matter the injury or how it happened, if it occurs on the job, you must inform your employer right away. If you intend to file a workers’ compensation claim for medical care, acting quickly is crucial. A personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas can assist you during the process, but you can follow some general steps.
Acting Quickly When Reporting Your Incident to Your Employer
When you are injured, you must report the incident to your employer right away. You may notify any higher-up about the accident, such as a manager or supervisor. Nevada gives employees 7 days to inform their employer in writing. These 7 days include weekends, so keep that in mind.
Your employer will have you complete Form C-1, which is the Notice of Injury or Occupational Disease. This form does not begin your workers’ insurance claim, but it is an important step toward it. Make sure you submit this form within the 7 day deadline or it could affect your workers’ compensation case.
Seek Medical Care From a Medical Professional
If your injury needs immediate medical attention, you should take care of this before anything else. As mentioned above, you have 7 days to notify your employer of the injury in writing and may have more time under limited circumstances.
If your injury was not serious and you were able to inform your employer first, your next step should be to seek medical treatment. This applies even if you do not think the injury is serious enough for medical care. Your employer will likely send you to a workers’ compensation approved doctor. If you decide to file a workers’ compensation claim, you will complete a C-4 form with your doctor and have 90 days to finish this form.
Document the Details of Your Accident
After your workplace accident, you should record all the details in writing and ask your employer for an accident report if one is available. Include details such as:
How the accident occurred
What took place during the accident
Who was present when the accident happened
Specific information about your injury
Your Employer’s Legal Obligations and What You Should Expect
After a workplace accident, your employer is legally required to handle several responsibilities. First, Nevada workplaces must carry workers’ compensation insurance. If you learn that your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, you should speak with a lawyer to understand what steps you can take.
If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, once they are informed of your injury, they must give you a C-1 form. They must send you to an authorized medical provider right away and cannot delay or refuse this medical care. Your employer also has a duty to report your injury to its workers’ compensation insurance and to cooperate with the investigation. If your employer resists any of these obligations at any time, you should contact a lawyer.
How a Skilled Nevada Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Support You
Lawyers play an important role as an advocate for employees seeking workers’ compensation. This is especially true if the claim is delayed or denied. You may believe there is nothing else you can do to receive a higher settlement, but in reality, a lawyer may be able to help you settle for significantly more if you are entitled to it.
Your lawyer can also help with the following:
Filing your claim
Monitoring your claim
Protecting your rights
Challenging denied claims
Raising settlements
Addressing pre-existing conditions and other complications
Submit Your Nevada Workers’ Compensation Claim With Confidence
Many employees need guidance to make sure they receive the compensation they are entitled to through their workers’ compensation claim. From medical treatment to lost wages, having support throughout the process can help ensure you are treated fairly and receive the benefits allowed under the law. Proper guidance can make it easier to navigate the process from start to finish.
