If you suffered a wrist injury on the job, you can most likely pursue a claim for workers’ compensation from your employer. While every state sets its own workers’ compensation laws, most employers must maintain the special insurance coverage to protect themselves and their workers in the event of work-related illnesses or workplace accidents. Every state has its own protocol regarding the workers’ compensation claims process, but the benefits are very similar. Workers’ compensation will cover the cost of the medical care associated with your wrist injury and will cover a portion of your lost wages while you recover. Your workers’ compensation attorney will help you throughout the claims process. What to do if You Suffer a Wrist Injury at Work If you suffer a wrist injury while working, you should notify your manager right away. States have different time requirements for notifying your employer of your injury, but the earlier you make the notification, the better. If possible, make notification the day of the accident. In most states, you would have anywhere from three days to a year to make the proper notification to pursue a claim. Some states require written notification while others allow verbal notification. Your workplace injury lawyer will know the requirements and the process and ensure that your claim is filed properly. You should always seek medical care as soon as possible, as that is imperative for a successful claim and to show you were hurt when you claim and to show the severity of your injury. The Accident Report for Your Wrist Injury at Work If there is a workplace injury, your employer is required to complete an accident report. An investigation will be conducted, and any witnesses will be asked for witnesses. Eyewitnesses can support your claim. You will be required to give a detailed statement regarding the accident. You will need to be precise regarding what you were doing, how the accident took place and the extent of your injuries. As an example, you were loading a truck at the distribution center. While you were lifting boxes, your hand twisted inward with a heavy box. At that time, you noticed a sharp pain in your right wrist on the inside of your hand that shot down through the palm and caused tingling in your fingers. You dropped the box because of the pain and tingling, and you had to seek medical care right away. Filing Your Claim for Workers’ Compensation after a Wrist Injury To access workers’ compensation benefits, you will need to file a formal claim for workers’ compensation based on your state protocol. Usually, a two-page claim form must be completed and filed with supporting documentation, such as the accident report. You might file this with your employer, or in some states, with the state workers’ compensation board or the state department of labor. Your workers’ compensation attorney will file your claim and ensure everything is in order. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to have a lawyer in your area review the details of your claim. Additional Resources Broken Arms and Workers' Compensation Claims I Had a Broken Arm Injury While Working at Walmart!
