An accident can happen in seconds on the job, regardless of how many years of experience you have behind you. The aftermath of such an accident can be chaotic and painful, and you might be left with one burning question: what will you do now?
Thankfully, many South Dakota employers have workers’ compensation insurance to help support you financially while you recover from a work injury. However, there are a few steps you must take, so you can obtain these benefits.
One of the first steps is reporting your injury
Your health and wellbeing should come first. After suffering an injury at work, you should immediately seek medical attention and treatment.
However, providing a written report of your injury is critical to protect your ability to collect workers’ compensation benefits. And according to South Dakota law, you must report your injury to your employer by at least three business days after the injury occurred.
What should you include in this report?
Thinking about filing a report and completing paperwork while trying to cope with the pain and stress that come with a work injury can be frustrating. Even so, it is an important step to take.
So, what should you know about reporting your injury? It is critical to include details in your report such as:
- Who was involved, providing your personal information as well as listing any other colleagues who witnessed the accident
- What happened, explaining the incident as well as the injuries that resulted
- When the accident occurred, including the time and date
- Where the injury occurred in the workplace
- How it happened, including the circumstances that led up to the incident
It might be helpful to include details from your initial medical treatment as well, but make sure you stick to the facts. Ensuring the report is accurate and complete can be complex during this stressful time, but you must make sure you file it on time to help secure the benefits you deserve.