From the N.C. Industrial Commission: Follow These Steps to Report a Work-Related Injury

Follow These Steps to Report a Work-Related Injury

The North Carolina Industrial Commission has published guidance for injured workers under limited circumstances.  Among the topics the Industrial Commission has addressed is the action to be taken by an injured worker in order properly to report a work injury.  According to the Industrial Commission, an injured worker should Follow these Steps to Report a Work-Related Injury:

“Step One

Report your injury to your Employer and seek out appropriate medical treatment.

Your employer may have a health care provider on your work site and if consistent with your employer’s instructions present yourself to that health provider if appropriate.

If you do not have access to an on-site health provider, your employer may have instructed you to present yourself to a designated health care office in case of work related injuries. If appropriate to the seriousness of your injury, report to that facility.

If there is no employer on-site or designated off-site health care provider, seek medical care appropriate to your medical needs. Depending on your circumstances, appropriate health care may be obtained from your family doctor or a hospital emergency room.

Step Two

Tell your health care provider that your injury is related to your work and the name of your employer. This information allows the health care provider to bill treatment as a Workers’ Compensation claim.

Step Three

As soon as possible, inform an appropriate manager of your employer or the owner of your company that you have experienced a work related accident. If you can personally report your injury, do so. If you are unable to report your injury because of your medical condition, have a family member, friend or health care provider notify your employer of the injury as soon as possible.

Step Four

As soon as practical after the accident, and within thirty days, give written notice to your employer. A simple written statement giving the date of the accident and a brief description of the injury is all that is necessary. If you cannot write the letter, have a friend or family member write it for you and send it to the employer. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.

Step Five

Follow your physician’s instructions for medical treatment. The goal of the Workers’ Compensation System in North Carolina is to ensure that you get good health care to restore you as nearly as possible to the health and ability to work that you had prior to your injury.

Following these five simple steps will ensure that your injury is properly reported, you receive appropriate health care quickly and that your employer can initiate workers’ compensation medical benefits.”

Further guidance from the North Carolina Industrial Commission can be found on the Commission’s “injured Workers” page, at https://www.ic.nc.gov/claimants.html.

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