Being injured at your place of work is often stressful. However, it is crucial that you take the proper steps after a work injury. By following the process, you can rest assured that your claim will be received in a timely manner, which ensures you are well within the statute of limitations for your injury. Swift action also prevents your injury from growing worse.
Seek out medical care
If the injury is serious, emergency medical care should be sought immediately. However, medical care should still be sought for even less serious injuries. While you can seek out any emergency services available, you should make sure that the doctor or health clinic you choose is approved by the Workers’ Compensation Board when receiving general or follow up care. Your employer is responsible for providing information on approved medical providers, whether you are in need of a doctor’s exam or diagnostic testing.
Contact your supervisor
You must report the injury to your employer within 30 days of it occurring. If you fail to do so, your benefits could be at risk. The timeline is slightly longer for any illness or disease acquired as a result of work. In this case, you must report the illness to your employer within two years of it occurring or within two years of it being discovered that the disease was, in fact, work-related.
Fill out the correct form
You must also notify the Workers’ Compensation Board in a certain period of time to ensure your claim is filed within the statute of limitations. Fill out Form C-3 and send it to your local office within two years of the injury or onset (or discovery) of an occupational illness.
Follow up steps
You will be notified about any hearings following your case. It is essential that you attend them as required. You will also need to attend follow up exams with your doctor. You may be able to schedule an independent exam, which can be beneficial if you dispute medical findings. When it is deemed acceptable by medical staff, you will be able to return to work.