What to Do After a Workplace Injury
A few steps after a work injury protect your health and your options — including a third-party claim beyond workers' comp. Here is a simple checklist.
Get medical care and report it
Get care right away and keep the records. Report the injury to your employer as required for a workers' comp claim — but know that comp may not be your only option.
Note every company involved
Write down the companies present — contractors, vendors, delivery firms, equipment providers — and who was doing what. A third party may be responsible for your full damages.
Photograph the scene and equipment
If you can, photograph the hazard, any equipment involved, and the scene before anything is cleaned up. If a machine or tool failed, note its make and model.
Do not rely on comp alone
Workers' comp does not cover pain and suffering or your full losses. A third-party claim against a negligent non-employer can, and it can be pursued alongside comp.
Get advice early
A lawyer can identify a third party at fault, coordinate with comp, and preserve the evidence before it is lost. A free review can explain your options.
The deadlines and rules depend on your state
The steps above apply wherever you were hurt. Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state — pick yours for what applies to workplace injuries.
Not sure where you stand?
A quick, confidential review can tell you — about two minutes, no cost, no obligation.
This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law differs by state.