Whether you work with heavy machinery or sit at a desk all day, every industry presents possible injury risks. You could experience an injury from a malfunction in a forklift or by slipping and falling at your office.
Regardless of the injury and circumstances, if your injury happens at work, you need to let your employer know immediately. If you are planning on filing a workers’ compensation claim for any medical treatment, your prompt action is essential. A personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas can help you through the process. However, you can follow some general steps.
Taking Quick Action On Reporting Your Incident To Your Employer
When injured, you should immediately report the incident to your employer. You can tell any higher-up about the accident such as a manager or supervisor. Nevada gives employees 7 days to let your employer know in writing. These 7 days include weekends, so be sure to take that into consideration.
Your employer will have you fill out Form C-1 which is the Notice of Injury or Occupational Disease. This form does not start your workers’ insurance claim, but it is an important step in doing so. Be sure you hand this form in within the 7 day deadline or it could impact your workers’ compensation case.
Seek Medical Treatment From a Medical Professional
If your injury requires immediate medical attention, you should do this before you do anything else. As stated above, you have 7 days to notify your employer of the injury in writing and even more time under limited circumstances.
If your injury was not severe and you were able to inform your employer first, your next step should be to seek medical treatment. This is the case even if you don’t think the injury is severe enough for medical treatment. You will likely be sent to a workers’ compensation approved doctor by your employer. If you choose to file a workers’ compensation claim, you will complete a C-4 form with your doctor and you will have 90 days to complete this form.
Write Down The Details Of Your Accident
After your workplace accident, you should get all the details down in writing and request an accident report from your employer if they have one. Include details such as:
- How the accident happened
- What happened during the accident
- Who was there when your accident happened
- Specific details about your injury
Your Employer’s Legal Responsibilities & What To Expect
After a workplace accident, your employer is legally obligated to follow through with several responsibilities. First of all, Nevada workplaces are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. If you find your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, you should talk to a lawyer to see what next steps you can take.
Assuming they have workers’ compensation insurance, once they are made aware of your injury, your employer must provide you with a C-1 form. They must direct you to an authorized medical provider right away and cannot delay or deny this medical treatment. Your employer also has a duty to report your injury to its workers’ compensation insurance and to cooperate with the investigation. If your employer is resisting any of these obligations at any point, you should reach out to a lawyer.
How a Trusted Nevada Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help You
Lawyers are an important advocate for the employee when it comes to claiming workers’ compensation. This is especially true if the claim is delayed or denied. You may assume there is nothing more you can do to get a higher settlement, but in reality, a lawyer might be able to help you settle for substantially 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
- Handling pre-existing conditions and other complexities
File Your Nevada Workers’ Compensation Claim With Confidence
At Benson & Bingham, we specialize in making sure employees are getting the compensation they deserve from their workers’ compensation claim. From medical treatment to lost wages, we will stand with you every step of the way until you receive maximum compensation. We have a track record of success and are trusted in our community and beyond.
When you need a lawyer you can trust by your side, contact our law firm to get started.