In Atlanta, GA as well as other sprawling cities, preventing and reducing the costs of workers’ compensation claims is on the minds of many employers. It has been estimated that a single claim that lasts for 181 days to a year can cost an employer as much as $6,785, according to data released in a 2014 Business Insurance article. While the number of claims has gone down slightly since the early 2000s, the costs of medical care and workers’ compensation insurance have gone up across the board.

It should not come as a surprise that employers are cracking down on workers who repeatedly put themselves in harm’s way to go out on workers’ comp injury claims – a factor that can affect your ability to find a future job. As a working person, it’s important to know what your rights and responsibilities are if you get injured while on the job. This is critical for two very good reasons.

• Number one – your safety is of utmost importance at all times. You cannot afford to get hurt at work and spend weeks and even months recovering. You do not want to deal with the long term pain and problems associated with being hurt at work.
• Secondly – If you get hurt at work, you could be facing a serious battle proving that your injury happened on the job and getting your employer to make sure you get the level of care you deserve, if you don’t follow certain rules.

With this said and clear, let’s talk about what you need to know if you do get hurt at work and need to report it for medical care.

1. If you are hurt at work, report it immediately to your immediate supervisor and the human resource department. Don’t wait a few days to see if it will get better. Don’t wait for a scheduled doctor’s visit and then try to put in a claim. Don’t try to pretend you are okay. As soon as you experience an injury of any kind, fill out an accident report within 24 hours or less.
2. Get prompt medical attention. If you are hurt, you need to be seen by a doctor, occupational medicine, or a suitable wellness provider approved by your workplace. Your HR manager can advise you on where to go. Serious injuries require an ambulance trip to the emergency room.  If you work off-site, go to the nearest ER and report this as a work injury and have them contact your employer or the staffing agency. If you are dizzy or losing sight, bleeding, seriously burnt, have had a head or neck injury, deep puncture wound, have chest pain or trouble breathing – DO NOT try to drive yourself there – ask someone to take you instead.
3. Send all medical documentation to your HR office. As soon as you are treated and released by the physician in charge of your care, drop off or fax a copy to your HR office. You will need to do this so they can file the workers’ compensation claim and arrange for you to get follow up care as needed. This includes turning in a doctor’s excuse for time off to recover. Remember, the goal is to get you back to work healthy again.
4. Go to all required doctor and medical follow up care appointments. It is your responsibility to make sure you go to all your doctor and medical appointments so you are given instructions on what to do next, and when you can return to work. Again, provide this to your employer promptly. Follow doctor’s orders for your recovery.
5. Keep in communication with your employer or staffing agency. Report any changes or updates as soon as you know about them. Your employer needs to know if and when you plan to return to work. You will also need to know about important payroll and benefit options you may have. In Georgia, “you are entitled to weekly income if you are unable to work for more than 7 days and you can expect your first check to be mailed to you in 21 days from the first day you miss work”. Be sure to maintain open lines of communication by being available by phone.

Getting hurt at work is something that can happen to anyone. However, follow your employer’s safety guidelines, wear any assigned safety equipment and practice safety procedures while on the job to prevent this. But if you do get hurt, use the above steps to guide you through this process. Staffing Resources is a top GA staffing agency and we work hard to make sure all our associates stay safe on the job.