Steps to Take When You Are Injured on the Job in Philadelphia

If you become ill or injured because of your job, it is vital that you:

• Get immediate medical help. If needed, call an ambulance or other transportation to get to a doctor’s office or hospital. Your employer is required to pay for that transportation, so don’t hesitate to call for the right help, even if you don’t have health insurance.
• Immediately tell your doctor that your injury or illness is work-related. Get a medical certificate from your doctor stating that the injuries or illness occurred while you were performing your job duties.
• Follow all of the doctor’s orders to aid your full recovery. Do not let your medical care lapse—show up for every appointment and take medication and other instructions as given. Otherwise your employer’s insurance company may refuse to accept that you are still injured and in need of compensation.
• Report the work-related illness or injury to your employer as soon as possible. Follow the protocol and procedures of your workplace, such as recording the details of the accident or illness in a register of injuries.
• Call on a team of highly qualified attorneys, such as those at Gay Chacker & Ginsburg. We will immediately go to work to ensure that your workers’ compensation claim is prepared in a way that will bring you maximum compensation.
• If you are able to return to work, follow any return-to-work procedures your company might have.
• Understand and follow all of the rules of your workers’ compensation carrier. If you violate any part of those rules, you may lose some of your benefits.

It is illegal for your employer to try to stop you from reporting your work-related illness or injury, or to try to persuade you to not report an injury, illness, death, or hazardous condition to that employer, the state, or your doctor.

Your employer may also tell you that you and your family will be compensated for your losses and damages, outside of the workers’ compensation system. The accident is then quickly forgotten or denied, leaving you without compensation for medical expenses or lost wages.

Protect your rights. Contact Gay Chacker & Ginsburg as soon as possible after you are injured, or have a family member do so. We will persistently pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries, all losses, and pain and suffering.