If you hurt yourself while on the job, you should not simply “shake it off,” so to speak, and get back to work. Rather, it is highly recommended that you seek immediate medical attention, even as far as calling an ambulance to your workplace. Once you comprehend the full extent of your injuries, you should notify your employer to start the workers’ compensation claims process. With that being said, please read on to discover how to report your accident to your employer and how a seasoned Panama City work injury attorney at Manuel & Thompson, PA can help you do so timely.

How do I report my work injury to my employer?

In short, you should notify your supervisor or manager of your work injury as soon as possible after the workplace accident occurs. Ideally, you should do so formally by filling out and submitting a “First Report of Injury.” Of note, you may obtain this form by first verbally notifying your employer of the incident. Then, within this form, you may be expected to provide the following pieces of information:

  • Your employment information (i.e., your job title, company name, employer’s name, date of hire, etc).
  • Your personal information (i.e., your name, date of birth, Social Security number, contact information, etc).
  • A description of the workplace accident event (i.e., the date, time, and location, the contributing factors of the accident, etc).
  • A description of your incurred injuries (i.e., the affected body part(s), the official diagnosis, the prescribed treatment plan, etc).
  • A description of the immediate medical attention you received (i.e., whether you called an ambulance, visited the emergency room, made a doctor’s appointment, etc).

What happens if I do not report my work injury on time?

In the state of Florida, you may only be allotted 30 days from the date of your workplace accident event to report your injuries to your employer. If you fail to notify within this timeframe, you may ultimately ruin your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits. This means permanently missing out on medical benefits, lost wage benefits, medical mileage reimbursement, and possibly home service benefits.

Importantly, once you file a First Report of Injury form with your employer, they must report your work injury to their workers’ compensation insurance company within 7 days. Obviously, this is an even smaller window than you were granted; so it may be in your best interest to follow up with them and their status in doing so. If you believe that your employer is making no effort toward meeting this deadline, you may need to resort to legal involvement.

In conclusion, before you take any further initiative with your claim, we urge you to consult one of the competent Panama City personal injury attorneys. Most definitely, the team at Manuel & Thompson, PA is eager to work with you.