Accidents in the workplace happen every day. While you can practice safety measures, things can happen here and there. This is why it is best to know what to do if you’re injured on the job ahead of time, so you can take the appropriate actions. From top work injury accidents and next steps, to worker’s compensation and talking with your doctor, be sure to know your plan. Under the care of your doctor and physical therapy in Wheatland, WY and all our other locations, you can make a speedy recovery.

Most Common Injuries

Being cognizant of potential hazards at your workplace is key for prevention. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Slips and falls
• Cuts and scrapes
• Muscle strains
• Interactions with hazardous materials
• Car accidents

You’ve Just Been Injured… What’s Next?

Depending on the extent of your injury, if able, inform your manager of your injury as soon as possible. You will have to put the incident in writing and it is best to know what medical provider your employer has on file for work injuries. Ask that question now so you know where to go in advance. Once you have notified your employer, seek medical care. If your injuries are extensive, you have up to four days to inform your employer of the accident. This gives time for you to recover or to have someone notify your manager on your behalf.

How to Handle Worker’s Compensation

Reporting your accident or injury in writing will kick off the worker’s compensation process. If you do not share your report within four days of an incident, you can still qualify but may lose days of benefits. From there, they will file your report with their insurance company. They have up to 10 days. The insurance company will review the situation submitted by your employer and come up with the payment solution. Based on the extent of your injury, you will be eligible for disability and benefits.

Talking to Your Doctor

Your doctor will work with you to create a plan to your health and recovery. It is important to follow their guideline to improve the quality of your injury. Since the doctor you will be speaking with may not be your primary care physician, don’t let this hinder you from sharing any details. Be sure to tell them in detail what happened, where your pain is, etc. It is also crucial to share any historical information and previous medical records.

Working with a Physical Therapist

One of the go-to recommendations worker’s compensation doctors will tell you for recovery is to visit a local physical therapist. Physical therapy will create a custom plan specific to your situation. They will not only help you to recover, but help you avoid future injuries.

When it comes to caring for your work injuries, North Platte Physical Therapy has you covered. As the area’s premier physical therapist, many of our therapists are certified in pre-employment, job performance and return to work evaluations—including functional capacity evaluations. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.