What should you do if you are injured on the job and the employer does not direct you to a doctor or hospital?

Many people believe that workers’ compensation insurance is a benefit provided to employees strictly for his or her well-being. In fact, workers’ compensation insurance is a requirement for most businesses in Colorado. Therefore, employees should realize that workers’ compensation coverage acts somewhat differently, and employers may be reluctant to report claims.

There are usually posted requirements for reporting injuries to the employer. If you are aware of these requirements, you should follow them when reporting an injury. However, many employees are in the dark on what to do when injured at work. After all, no one plans on suffering an injury, and many are unprepared for how to handle such an occurrence.

If the employer refuses to send you to medical care, or does not provide a referral to a doctor or hospital, this should be a red flag that you need to protect your rights. Common sense tells us that an employer should be willing to help an injured employee regardless of the implications for reporting a workers’ compensation claim. But practically speaking, employers occasionally feel that the employee should handle it with their own insurance.

If you have been injured at work, and you suspect that your employer may be failing to assist you in any way, please contact the law offices of Bachus & Schanker, LLC for a free consultation regarding your rights at this important stage in a workers’ compensation injury.