Louisiana workers understand that an accident in their place of work can leave them with both physical injuries and financial losses that can significantly impact their families. If you are suffering after an accident in your workplace, you could have a rightful claim to benefits through workers’ compensation insurance. Before you file, it can be beneficial to understand your rights and what to expect from the process.
Employers have certain responsibilities to their employees, especially after a work accident. There are certain things your employer cannot do, and there are certain steps he or she must take after a workplace accident. One way to protect your interests is to understand your employer’s responsibilities.
What does the boss have to do?
After a workplace accident, there are specific steps your employer must take. If he or she does not meet these requirements, it can cause issues with your claim and make it difficult for you to get the benefits you deserve. Employers have to do the following if a worker experiences an injury on the job:
- Call for emergency medical treatment or allow you to seek emergency medical treatment after an accident.
- Fill out a report on the workplace injury incident and ensure it gets to the appropriate workers’ compensation office.
- Keep adequate reports about the accident and track how much time an injured worker is away from work.
- Provide additional information about the accident to the workers’ compensation insurance company or other parties involved with the claim.
Your employer cannot retaliate against you in any way for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Some employers may have concerns over increased premiums or questions over the safety of the workplace, but they cannot act against you for seeking rightful benefits or encourage you to refrain from filing a claim.
If you think your employer acted inappropriately or negatively affected your workers’ compensation claim, you have the right to seek guidance regarding an appropriate course of action.
Your post-accident recovery
It is critical to get appropriate support after a workplace accident. Whether your employer is not meeting his or her responsibilities or you have questions about your rights, it can be helpful for you to seek a complete evaluation of your case.
This is a simple way for you to better understand your options, including your right to seek workers’ compensation benefits. You can also become familiar with your employer’s responsibilities and what to expect from the claims process.