What Is the Term for Being Hurt at Work?

Competent employers should have established procedures for employees to report work-related injuries, which include providing you with a standardized report form. On this form, you will need to provide information about the event such as:

• The date and time when you were injured
• The location where you were injured
• What you were doing when injured
• The names of any witnesses to your injury
• Whether you've already sought medical care for your injury

That may not be all you'll need to provide but generally speaking, be as detailed as possible and be sure to get a copy of the form you filled out. Suppose your employer does not provide you with a form. In that case, you can get one online from your state's workers' compensation agency website or contact one of our workers' comp attorneys for help.

After you report your injury, you should seek out medical care as soon as you can. State laws and regulations will dictate which doctor you have to see. Many employers will have a preselected physician for workers' compensation claims. In some states, like California, you may have had the option to declare a predesignated doctor in the case of a work-related injury. Still, many states allow the employer to choose the doctor until specific criteria are met. You may be entitled to choose your physician freely in other states.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

In all cases, it's critical to follow your doctor's orders to the letter. If you deviate from their advice and restrictions, you could jeopardize your ability to receive benefits. It's also crucial to inform the doctor that you were injured on the job with as much detail as possible. This could impact what kind of restrictions they'll give you. If you don't explain your job duties fully, the doctor may say you are able to carry out duties that could cause you undue pain and delay your recovery. 

Slips, trips, and fall - The workplace can be a dangerous place no matter what role you perform. It's easy to slip, trip, or fall on an oily, wet, or icy floor. Likewise, if you work in the construction industry, it's a common occurrence to fall off a ladder or roof. Poor lighting and clutter can also lead to a painful spill in a warehouse setting.

Overexertion and muscle strains - Some jobs are labor-intensive, which can lead to long-term pain and loss of productivity over time. An occupational injury like this can be caused by many things such as repetitive movements from typing or working on a production line, the lifting of heavy objects, and even pushing around dollies.

Falling equipment or objects - Working around heavy equipment or in a warehouse leaves lots of room for injuries to occur. Some of these injuries can be severe, like loss of limbs or traumatic head injuries. Poorly operated machinery can result in dropped loads, and falling tools or other materials can cause serious harm to workers.

Crashes and collisions - Commercial drivers are the backbone of our supply chain, but it's also a dangerous industry. Workers can be run over by forklifts loading cargo, or they can be hit by another commercial driver's vehicle, which often has deadly consequences. 

Exposure to dangerous chemicals or environments - Working around chemicals leaves workers vulnerable to injuries to their eyes, skin, and respiratory systems. Long-term exposure can lead to debilitating lifelong illnesses.

Fire and explosions - Some jobs are more hazardous than others. When workers work around chemicals that can ignite, they can be at risk for burns, respiratory damage, disfigurement, and even death. In the case of an explosion, even if the worker is not hurt in the primary blast, they may be injured by flying debris.

Unfortunately, there are some circumstances under which you can be legally fired in an at-will state after being injured on the job. Here is a list of those circumstances:

• Your doctor released you for light-duty work, but the employer has no such work
• Your injury requires refitting of a workspace to accommodate your disability, but this would cause a financial hardship for the employer
• You no longer have the physical capacity required to perform the job
• Your employer doesn't like your work performance
• You refused to report back to work after being medically cleared by your doctor
• Your employer is a small business that cannot afford to wait for you to return to your job

Because at-will states don't require an employee to accommodate disabled employees' disabilities, sometimes, there is little recourse unless it can be proven the employer is discriminating or firing you for retaliation or you have a contract.  

Injury at work employer responsibilities

An employer's primary responsibility is to provide a safe work environment. However, when an injury at work occurs, they must complete a First Report of Injury document and forward it to their workers' compensation insurance carrier. Then they must work with their carrier during the investigation process. When the worker can physically return to the workplace, they must make sure the worker is welcomed and not penalized or fired for filing a workers' comp claim.

So, at this point, we're well past answering the question, "What is it called when you get hurt at work?" — now you're not sure if you need an attorney. Filing a claim is typically a straightforward process, but you may be shocked when your claim comes back denied. This is the time to lawyer up with our expert workers' comp attorneys. A significant number of claims are denied each year in an effort to avoid fraud. Still, when you have a legitimate claim, it's critical to have legal representation so you can get the benefits you need and deserve.

Our lawyers will work closely with you to gather all necessary evidence, like medical records and witness testimony, to build a strong case. We represent you in court and during all negotiations, putting a stop to any delay tactics your employer may use to avoid payment. Our goal is to ensure you receive the full value of your settlement so you can move forward with confidence.

With over 35 years of experience, Morgan & Morgan has grown to be one of the country’s largest and most trusted law firms. But that doesn’t stop us from caring deeply about the people we serve.

To us, every case counts because every case has a story behind it, often involving emotions, hardships, and workers that have families that depend on them. We understand, and we care. We'll fight hard to make sure your rights are protected. Contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.