How these injuries happen at work
Hernias that show up after heavy lifting or straining at work.
Common situations
Getting medical care
Get checked by a licensed clinician, even if the injury seems minor at first — some injuries feel worse over the following days. Tell them it happened at work.
Some states and employers have rules about which doctor you see first or whether you can change doctors. Ask your employer or the claims adjuster before or soon after your first visit if you can.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and the adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many prescriptions can also be delivered to your home.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery and medications often used after work injuries.
Reporting it and the claim process
Workers' compensation is generally an insurance system that may cover medical care and part of lost wages for job-related injuries and illnesses. How it works — and who qualifies — depends on your state and your situation.
Reporting the injury to your employer in writing is usually the first step. Deadlines to report an injury and to file a claim vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible rather than waiting.
Keep a simple log: dates, who you spoke with, what they said, appointments and any time missed from work. Ask your employer or the insurer for the claim number once there is one.
When people often talk to an attorney
- Your claim is denied or delayed, or payments stop.
- You are discouraged from reporting the injury, or treated differently after you report it.
- The injury is serious, permanent or keeps you from going back to your job.
- Someone other than your employer — another company, a driver, an equipment maker — may have been involved.
- There is a dispute about your medical care, light duty or returning to work.
- You are offered a settlement and want to understand it before you decide.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow the care plan your clinician gives you and keep your appointments — and write down how you feel between visits.
If you are offered light duty or modified work, ask for the details in writing and share them with your doctor so they can say whether it fits your restrictions.
Stay in touch with your employer and the adjuster, keep copies of everything, and ask questions whenever something is unclear.
Questions to ask
- Who handles workers' comp claims here, and what is my claim number?
- Which doctor or clinic should I see first, and can I choose my own doctor later?
- What paperwork do I need to fill out, and can I have copies?
- How are my prescriptions and medical bills handled?
- Is light duty or modified work available while I recover?
- What are the deadlines in my state, and where can I check them?
If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1If anyone is badly hurt — heavy bleeding, a head injury, trouble breathing, chest pain, a burn, an electrical shock, chemicals in the eyes or someone who can't move — call 911 now.
- 2Get first aid and medical care. Tell the clinician the injury happened at work.
- 3Tell your supervisor as soon as you can, and report the injury in writing. Keep a copy.
- 4Write down what happened, when and where, and who saw it — while you still remember the details.
- 5If it is safe, take photos of the area, the equipment and your injury.
- 6Keep every paper, bill, receipt and message related to the injury in one place.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Other body parts & industries
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first if I'm injured at work?
If it is an emergency, call 911. Otherwise get first aid or medical care, tell your supervisor, and report the injury in writing as soon as you can. Write down what happened and who saw it.
Is there a deadline to report a work injury?
Yes — but deadlines vary by state. Report the injury to your employer in writing as soon as possible and check with your state's workers' compensation agency for the rules that apply to you.
Can I see my own doctor for a work injury?
It depends on your state and your employer's program. Some require you to start with an approved provider. Ask your employer or the claims adjuster, and in an emergency go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
Do I need a workers' comp attorney?
Not everyone does. People often consult one when a claim is denied or delayed, when the injury is serious or permanent, or when there is a dispute. Many attorneys offer a free first consultation.
How do I get my prescriptions after a work injury?
Ask the pharmacy and the claims adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled where you live. Many prescriptions can be filled at a local pharmacy or delivered to your home.
Is Prescriptions.plus a law firm or a medical provider?
No. Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a law firm, medical provider, pharmacy, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is legal or medical advice.
This page is being expanded.
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).