Making Certain You Get Proper Medical Care after a Workplace Accident
In the aftermath of a work-related injury, when you are worried about how you will pay your bills, it’s extremely important to make certain that you get all the necessary medical treatment, so that you have the best chance of a full recovery. But it’s not just for health reasons that you need to seek proper medical treatment. It will also help you maximize your recovery in a workers’ compensation claim.
Always Seek Treatment for Any Work-Related Injury
The biggest mistake that many people make is that they only get medical care when they think the injury is serious. Unfortunately, the most debilitating conditions are often ones that seem insignificant at the time. If you break an arm or a leg, it will simply knit and heal, and you can go back to work. But if you pull a muscle in your back or pinch a nerve, you may notice only a minor pain or discomfort at first. Those types of injuries, though, can often progress to the point where even the simplest tasks cause substantial pain, and they can take a long time to heal. The rule of thumb—any time you have a traumatic accident at work, you should immediately seek medical treatment. Likewise, if your job assignment has changed and you notice pains or discomfort that you didn’t have before, go see the doctor.
Emergency Medical Care vs. Non-Threatening Situations
If your injury is serious or life-threatening, you should go to the nearest emergency room. If it’s just minor discomfort, though, you may have to seek treatment from a company-selected or approved doctor. Some states, though, allow you to choose your own doctor. Even in those that don’t, you have the right to consult with a physician of your own choosing.
Discuss All Potential Injuries with Medical Personnel
When you go to the doctor, be sure to relate everything that happened to you, as well as anything that feels out of the ordinary. Don’t focus on the obvious injuries and ignore the other conditions. Make certain, too, that you tell the doctor of any changes in your duties, as well as any accidents or incidents that may have caused or contributed to an injury. Ultimately, the doctor will attempt to determine whether your injuries were work-related, as well as how much time off you need, and when you can or will reach “maximum medical improvement.”
Contact Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P. A.
At Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P. A., our attorneys have more than 35 years of experience protecting the rights of men and women in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. For a confidential meeting, contact us online or call our office at 856-429-1700. Your first consultation is free of charge.
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