If you are a construction worker, and you have an accident at work, there are a few important steps that you must take afterward. First, you should stop working immediately, or as soon as possible, and report the injury to your foreman. Afterward, be sure to get checked out by a doctor as soon as you can, and if the injury is serious, it is recommended that you contact a personal injury attorney. These types of attorneys can help you receive what is known as workers' compensation.
As soon as a construction accident occurs, whether it is major or minor, you should stop work as soon as possible. Even if you believe that the accident did not lead to any injuries at all, stopping work right away is an important step. By doing this, you can prevent any further injuries and notify your foreman.
Notifying your foreman is one step that should never be overlooked, even if no one was hurt. In fact, many employers require this of employees, and failure to do so can result in termination of all who were involved. Also, if there were any injuries, major or minor, these must be reported as well. If injuries are not reported in writing at the time of the accident, there is a possibility that the hurt employee may not receive any type of compensation. Information recorded in the incident report should include the date and time of the construction accident, names of who was involved, what happened, and any injuries that occurred at the time.
Any individual who is injured during a construction accident should get immediate medical attention. While it may seem pointless to visit the emergency room for a minor cut or bruise, there is still a possibility that the injury can get worse. When having an injury tended to after a construction accident, the patient should specify that it happened at his place of employment and include the date and time. Otherwise, if the injury does worsen, it may be difficult to prove that the injury happened on the job.
After the initial treatment and medical exam, it is strongly recommended that the patient follows up with any appointment that his physician schedules for him. This way, the physician is able to monitor the injury to ensure that it heals correctly. Also, many attorneys agree that he should keep a detailed account of the visits, including the date and times of the appointment, and copies of any medical bills.
If a construction accident is severe enough that an employee needs a lot of care or has to take time off of work, he will most likely be able to receive workers' compensation benefits. These benefits will typically pay for any medical expenses during the recovery period along with weekly wages. Many personal injury attorneys will inform the injured employee of his rights, help him through the process of applying for workers' compensation, and offer legal advice.