Being involved in a serious accident at work can be unsettling at best and potentially life-altering—or even life-threatening—at worst. Either way, what you do in the time immediately after a work-related injury could have a huge impact on your recovery process in the short term, your family’s long-term financial security, and your future personal career prospects.
Knowing in advance what to do after a workplace accident in Santa Ana could be crucial to receiving the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve for your injuries. If you want to get the best possible outcome from your claim and ensure you receive all the benefits state law entitles you to, you should make it a priority to contact one of our experienced workers’ comp attorneys for assistance.
Unless you need emergency medical attention, the first action you should take following an injury at your place of work in Santa Ana is to notify your immediate supervisor about what happened, ideally in writing. You should always do this even if the accident does not seem serious at the time. If you fail to take this initial step in the workers’ compensation process, you may be ineligible to seek benefits at a later stage if your injuries become worse.
Similarly, an action you should prioritize following a work-related incident is scheduling an assessment with a Santa Ana licensed healthcare provider. You should do this as soon as possible after being injured to establish whether you have suffered any serious injuries and to ensure you get prompt treatment. More specifically, you should seek care from a doctor who is approved by your employer or your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider, because they may not cover the costs of any treatment you receive from an unapproved doctor at this stage.
After you have reported your injury to your employer, they should provide you with a DWC-1 form to fill out. This is another important step you should take after an accident at work in Santa Ana. Promptly completing the “Employee” section of this form and returning it to your employer formally begins the workers’ compensation claims process. Two weeks after your employer has completed and submitted their section of the form to their insurance provider, you should receive notice about the benefits available to you.
Finally, it is vital to keep copies of every record your doctors make about your injuries and the treatment you receive for them, as well as copies of every bill and receipt relating to the expenses you incur. It could also be helpful to keep a diary or journal detailing how your injuries feel from day to day. Doing this could strengthen your claim for compensation following a Santa Ana worksite incident, especially if the severity of your injuries is challenged at a later stage.
Knowing what to do after a workplace accident in Santa Ana can significantly improve your chances of getting through the workers’ compensation claim process quickly and smoothly. However, there are still plenty of challenges you may face during this process, and if you try to navigate these alone, you may not receive the benefits you need.
Call us today for support from our dedicated legal professionals who have extensive experience helping workers like you pursue work-related injury claims.
