If you sustain an injury within the scope of your employment, you should report it to your supervisor or employer immediately after the accident. It’s not uncommon for employees to report an injury days or weeks later because it was minor at first, only for it to worsen, affecting their ability to work.
Timely reporting is crucial. Here is why:
You get treated earlier
When you are injured at work, your supervisor should ensure you receive quick and effective care using the first aid available at the workplace. If you require medical treatment, they need to authorize it promptly. Therefore, reporting an injury immediately after an accident ensures you receive immediate medical attention, preventing the condition from worsening.
If an employee contracts an occupational illness, they are required to report it immediately it’s known, unless they become incapacitated.
You protect your eligibility for filing a claim
Another reason why you should report a work-related injury on time is to protect your eligibility for filing a workers’ compensation claim. In Oklahoma, if an employee fails to seek medical treatment or file Form 23RS046E (the Employee’s Report of Job-Related Accidental Injury or Illness) within 30 days of an injury or illness, their claim may be presumed not to be work-related.
Reporting earlier allows you to link your injuries or illness to elements in your workplace.
You can access benefits sooner
When you report a work-related injury or illness to your employer, you will file the needed paperwork, and they will begin investigating the accident. By reporting immediately, these steps can be completed earlier, allowing you to access workers’ compensation benefits sooner.
It’s vital to report a work injury or illness immediately after an accident or as soon as you notice symptoms. Learn more about your rights to receive fair compensation.