If you’re hurt on the job, it’s important to report it to your employer right away and to seek treatment as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to file a workers’ compensation claim.
What Happens If You Are Hurt on the Job?
For basic information, check out this video called “What happens if I’m hurt on the job?” from Oregon’s Workers’ Compensation Division.
As the video states, you can go to any health care provider for care. At Go To Ortho, you can see our team of specialists who will provide you with an immediate diagnosis of the injury, corrective treatment, and medication, if needed. We’ll also discuss long-term options for recovery.
What Are The Most Common Work-Related Injuries?
The following is a list of the most common work-related injuries:
- Cuts and wounds
- Lacerations (blunt force trauma affecting nerves, ligaments, tendons, muscle, and even bone)
- Sprains and strains
- Scrapes and bruises
- Punctures
- Pulls and tears
- Fractures
- Crushes (crushed fingers are the most common injury in labor jobs)
- Strains from overexertion
- Falls, slips, and trips
- Struck by an object
- Pain from repetitive motion (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome)
What Are Typical Symptoms of Work-Related Injuries?
If you are injured on the job, you may not feel pain until hours or days later. Typical injury symptoms are sharp pain, swelling, bruising and tenderness, particularly as a result of a fall, collision or repetitive strain.
Even if an injury doesn’t hurt at first, it can cause chronic pain if left untreated. Whether you feel pain immediately or days later, Go To Ortho can help you with your injury – no appointment necessary.
What Complications Can Arise If Injuries are Left Untreated?
Fractures or broken bones require immediate medical attention for pain relief and to avoid permanent damage or disability. Lacerations, as well, require immediate treatment as open wounds can lead to infections and/or permanent damage to deeper layers of the body.
What Are Your Rights for Workers’ Compensation?
If you’re injured on the job, you have the right to seek treatment and you cannot be fired for reporting a work injury. In Oregon, you also have the right to choose the doctor you want. If you choose Go To Ortho, you will see orthopedic specialists immediately – no referral necessary.
To learn more about your rights for workers’ compensation in the state of Oregon, click here.
How Can Go To Ortho Help with A Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Go To Ortho understands the workers’ compensation process and is set up to report as needed for workers’ compensation claims. See our blog post Q&;A with Top Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Lauren Oda to learn more about the law surrounding workers’ compensation in Oregon.
Can I Be Fired for Filing a Worker’s Compensation Claim?
Sustaining an injury in the workplace or coming down from an illness, you are able to file a worker’s compensation claim. The employer cannot legally fire you for filing this type of claim. They can, however, fire you for poor work performance. Prior to your injury or medical condition, employers are able to evaluate your performance and take it into consideration. There are also cases where an employer makes the decision to retaliate against you should you file a worker’s compensation claim.
If an employer does fire an employee, dock their wages, or demote them for filing a worker’s compensation claim, the employee is able to sue them. Should this happen to you, you will need to gather as much evidence as possible. In this particular scenario, you will need to provide proof of your injury or ailment. You can do this by collecting your injury report, getting testimonials from eyewitnesses, any security footage from the area, a copy of your medical records, and the name of your employer.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect After a Work-Related Injury?
The compensation you receive from the worker's compensation claim includes receiving the proper medical treatment, replacement for your lost wages, and potentially receiving permanent disability compensation. In the worst-case scenario, if a worker has passed away due to a work-related injury, their beneficiaries would be entitled to compensation instead.
Can Physical Therapy Help Me Recover After a Work-Related Injury?
Physical therapy can help treat a wide variety of work-related injuries. Any injury or condition that affects the musculoskeletal system, such as the spine, neck, and rotator cuffs can be treated with physical therapy. Getting early intervention can help shorten the recovery time and prevent the injury from becoming worse.
However, it is important to note that you should never seek out physical therapy without the expertise of a doctor first. Having a doctor advise you to partake in physical therapy for your work-related injury can help turn the case in your favor if you must go to court.
Come See Us
We understand that work-related injuries can be serious and require immediate medical attention, so we welcome walk-in patients, no appointment necessary.
If you have more questions about workers’ compensation claims, contact us or simply stop by the Go To Ortho clinic. View our hours.
