Were you hurt at work? Here is what to do next

Getting hurt on the job is scary, and worrying about your paycheck or your boss's reaction on top of it makes it worse.

Are you in an emergency right now?

• Call 911 if you or a coworker is badly hurt.
• Get away from the danger if you can do it safely.
• Get medical care even if you feel fine. Some injuries hide for days.
• This page is for after you are safe.

This page covers workplace injury deadlines and what to do right now. We are the injured person's advocate. We connect you with a lawyer who handles cases like yours, so you get the full settlement your recovery deserves. Always free. Talk to an advocate. We usually reply within minutes, at most one business day.

Why workplace injury claims get tricky

Many workers are afraid to report an injury. They worry about being blamed, losing hours, or facing retaliation (punishment for reporting something you had a right to report). That fear is understandable, but staying quiet is one of the biggest risks to your claim.

Some employers run their own private injury plans instead of the standard state workers' comp (workers' compensation, the insurance system that pays for job injuries) system. Reporters have documented a broader corporate push to move away from state workers' comp systems entirely (ProPublica). These private plans can have much shorter reporting windows, sometimes requiring a report before the end of your shift, instead of the weeks allowed under state law.

Workers' comp appeals also run on strict technical rules. If a claim is denied and you appeal without understanding the process, a court can dismiss your case over paperwork problems alone, without ever deciding whether your injury was real or work-related.

Talk to an advocate. You do not have to sort out reporting deadlines and appeals alone.

What to do in the first days

1. Tell your medical provider the injury happened at work, so it is documented.
2. Talk to an advocate at WeHelpInjured. It is free.
3. Report the injury to your employer in writing, the same day, even if it seems minor.
4. Ask for a copy of the incident report and keep it.
5. Write down exactly how the injury happened while you remember the details.
6. Learn whether your employer uses your state's regular workers' comp system or a private company plan, and check the reporting deadline that applies to you.
7. Keep copies of every form you sign or receive.

Never do these

• Never give a recorded statement to an insurance company, even your own employer's. Talk to an advocate first.
• Never admit fault for the accident at the scene or in writing. Stick to the facts.
• Never sign anything, or accept a first offer, from your employer's insurer before you talk to your advocate.
• Never accept an informal offer from your employer to "handle it quietly" outside the system.
• Never post about the accident or your injury on social media. Insurers look for it.

Why waiting or going it alone can cost you

Warning: don't wait! A private injury plan's reporting window is a trap. Some employers opt out of the standard state workers' comp system and set reporting windows far shorter than state law allows, sometimes requiring a report before the end of your shift, so missing that short window, even by a few hours, can get a real claim rejected. And because it is legally a work injury, regular health insurance can refuse to cover it either, leaving a hurt worker with no coverage from either side. Report your injury the same day, and talk to your advocate early.

What we can help with

• Understanding your state's workers' comp rules and your rights at work, in plain language.
• Learning what benefits and reporting deadlines apply to your situation.
• Connecting you with a lawyer who handles cases like yours, so you get the full settlement your recovery deserves.

All of it is free to you. We never take money from injured people.

Talk to an advocate. Let us help you figure out your next step.

Sources

• Inside Corporate America's Campaign To Ditch Workers' Comp, ProPublica
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Deadlines vary by state. See /states/ for your state's specifics.
• Related reading: My employer told me not to report my injury. What should I do? and How long do I have to act after an injury?