Why You Should See a Doctor Immediately After a Workplace Injury

If you’re hurt at work, you need to go to the doctor as soon as possible. It doesn’t matter how you were hurt or whose fault it was, you should inform your manager that you were injured and then leave the workplace to see a doctor immediately. The sooner you see a doctor, the better your chances of making a full recovery and earning the full compensation you’re entitled to. Here’s why.

Your Injuries

The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner they can treat you. This is especially important if you have broken bones or other injuries that could be made worse by moving around. When you’re hurt, it’s crucial that you immobilize that affected area and begin treating it as soon as possible to prevent it from worsening.

Even if your injuries do not seem serious at the time of the accident, you should still go to the doctor. Some injuries, especially those caused by blunt trauma, may not be apparent until several days after the initial incident.

That’s because some injuries cause internal damage (bruising blood vessels or damaging organs), which may exacerbate and worsen as you move around and continue your normal activities. A doctor can examine you for these “invisible” injuries and create a record demonstrating that any worsening symptoms that may appear are the result of the initial trauma.

Your Recovery

If you wait to see a doctor, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. They may even suggest that some or all of your injuries are unrelated to the workplace accident. However, if you go directly to the doctor’s office after informing your manager of the injury, there is a clear connection between your workplace injury report and your doctor’s medical records.

That documentation makes it easier to demonstrate the full extent of your injuries and improves the chances that you’re compensated for the full amount you’re entitled to under the law.

If you’d like to schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Kentucky workers’ comp attorney who will work tirelessly on your behalf, don’t hesitate to send us an email or call (270) 423-0023.