If an emergency such as a fire, toxic gas leak or chemical spill occurs at your workplace, causing you an injury, removing you to a safe place (away from the hazard) should be the first task of the employer. Do you know what to do if you are injured during an emergency at work?
The employer should have an emergency evacuation, rescue, and safety plan in place along with safety equipment and trained personnel.
Seek Medical Attention
You must seek medical attention as soon as possible following the workplace emergency and accident.
Visiting the emergency room is warranted in most cases. If further medical treatment is advised, your employer should give you a list of panel providers for you to choose from for treatment. Typically, if you want your medical bills paid by the workers’ compensation carrier, you are required to treat with the panel providers for the first 90 days after your injury.
Report Your Injury
In Pennsylvania, you are required to report your workplace injury to your employer within 120 days of the accident. This is important to ensure that you receive coverage under the PA workers’ compensation Act. If injured during an emergency at work that is a larger disaster, this still applies.
Some injuries are not immediately visible, so you may be tempted to ignore treatment or avoid reporting the accident to the employer.
However, this could prove detrimental to your workers’ comp rights if the symptoms of your injury surface at a later stage. Unless you report your injury to your employer, they may not file a workers’ comp claim with their insurer on your behalf.
Prepare a Record of the Accident
Once you are in a position to recall the circumstances of the emergency or accident at the workplace that led to your injury, you should write down all possible details about how and when you were rescued, what first aid was administered, and what emergency evacuation measures were in place.
Keep a record of any co-workers who may have witnessed the accident.
Consult with an Experienced PA Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you are unsure about whether you will be able to receive the compensation you deserve, speak with an experienced workers’ comp lawyer in Pennsylvania. They will help you determine the type of benefits you may be entitled to receive.
