If you have suffered an ankle injury on the job, you need to know what to do for a successful workers’ compensation claim. Foot injuries are very common in workplace accidents. Most employers must maintain workers’ compensation insurance, which offers benefits to employs who have suffered workplace injuries. Workers’ compensation offers medical benefits, to cover the cost of the needed medical treatment, and it covers about two-thirds of the worker’s lost wages. Here are the top tips for applying for workers’ compensation with an ankle injury: 1. Go to a physician on the approved workers’ comp list of medical providers. This list should be placed in a visible location, such as near a time clock or in a breakroom. If you do not see this list, do not hesitate to ask a manager or supervisor. 2. Get an X-ray of your ankle. Your doctor will order X-rays or other diagnostic tests to determine the nature of your injury and its severity. 3. Report your injury to your employer in a timely manner. Depending on the state laws, this might be done verbally or in writing. 4. Provide a written statement for the accident report regarding how you injured your ankle in the workplace accident. Be very precise and accurate when detailing the situation. Include any information and details you can remember. 5. Keep copies of your medical records. These records will help show the severity of your ankle injury and can confirm that it was work-related. 6. Make sure any eyewitnesses give their statements regarding what they saw and how you were injured. Corroborating witnesses can significantly impact the outcome of your workers’ compensation claim. 7. Maintain documentation regarding missed work because of your ankle injury. Your physician will have to provide a written note detailing any restrictions or limitations. Keep copies of these notes and make sure you keep count of the hours that you are unable to work. 8. Continue with follow-up care. Without the proper follow-up care, you will not be able to show that you have worked toward recovering. Maintain documentation regarding all your physician visits for your workplace ankle injury. 9. Follow your physician’s orders. Don’t try to over-exert yourself. Instead, adhere to the limitations and restrictions that you are given because of your ankle injury. 10. Apply for workers’ compensation with your ankle injury. The laws regarding this process vary from one state to another, but make sure you follow proper protocol and all the paperwork is in order. 11. Consult with a workers’ compensation attorney about applying for workers’ compensation with an ankle injury. An attorney understands the process for handling workplace injuries and will aggressively pursue you workers’ compensation claim, so you can access the benefits that you need in such a challenging time. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page today, so the details regarding your ankle injury can be shared with a workers’ compensation attorney. Workers’ compensation attorneys work on a contingency basis, so you have nothing to lose. Get your case reviewed today, so you can make sure your claim is on the right track and you can access your benefits while you are recovering. Additional Resources Tips for Filing Workers' Compensation for an Ankle Injury