Reporting Accidents in The Workplace – The Best Practices Should You Ever Need Legal Action

No matter what kind of environment you work in, injuries can occur. Workplace accidents are an all too common occurrence, and depending upon the circumstances there may be perfectly good reasons for not immediately reporting the incident to your supervisor. But reporting a workplace accident is an essential part of the process of filing a successful workers’ compensation claim, and failure to do so may jeopardize your eligibility to receive the benefits that you need and deserve. The Lancaster law firm of Vanasse Law is dedicated to helping those injured in workplace accidents to navigate the claims and appeals process. For experienced legal help, call us today to set up a convenient appointment.

There are a number of reasons why an employee might not report a workplace accident right away. Many decide not to mention an accident initially because they hope that the injury won’t impede their ability to work – they hope that after a few hours of rest and perhaps a couple of anti-inflammatories, they’ll quickly recover. If the accident was their own fault they may not even realize that they are entitled to workers’ compensation, as many don’t know that this essential benefit is available regardless of who is to blame for the injury. In some cases, an accident is so severe immediately after it happens that there is no time to file an official report. Whatever the reason, those who don’t report workplace accidents and then find themselves in need of compensation for medical expenses or lost wages may learn that their failure to meet this basic requirement results in a much more arduous road to compensation, and perhaps even to failure.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, injured employees are supposed to report the incident in which they were injured immediately. In the best case, accidents are supposed to be reported to the employer within 21 days, but the rules permit employees up to 120 days delay in reporting the accident to their employer in certain circumstances. Failure to do so puts the injured worker at risk of being denied benefits that they would otherwise have received. Reports of accidents should include all of the essential information, including the date and how it happened. Upon receipt of the accident report, the employer is then required to file a report with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Once an employee completes reporting their workplace accident, the prescribed protocol generally includes the employer providing them with a list of approved physicians who have been specifically designated to treat workplace injuries. These doctors are familiar with the workers’ compensation process, and provide appropriate treatment for a minimum of 90 days following the first meeting with the employee. Later, employers are able to request that employees seek help from specific physicians that they have selected.

If you have questions about the workers’ compensation process or need help in reporting a workplace accident, the attorneys of Vanasse Law can help. We are committed to helping injured employees get the compensation that they deserve, and we’ll work hard on your behalf.

Learn More About Reporting Accidents In The Workplace HERE.