A.
Step 1. Notify Your Employer of the Injury
If you sustain a work injury, notify your supervisor
or boss of the injury at your first opportunity. If
your injury developed over a period of time, as
with a repetitive stress, or cumulative trauma,
injury, notify your employer as soon as you have
symptoms and realize you’ve been injured as a
result of your job.
Although you may initially tell your supervisor
orally of the injury, it is important that you also
give your employer written notice within 30 days of
the injury. This will prevent any misunderstanding
about whether or not you reported the injury and
will protect your right to workers’ compensation
benefits.
If you have a union representative, contact
that person right away; you may need help
obtaining additional benefits that are secured by
a union contract. (Your union representative may
be instrumental in protecting your legal rights
should your employer attempt to terminate you
because you can’t return to work for a while. Also,
some employers may have salary continuation
agreements for union members injured at work.)
Make certain that you complete any required inhouse
accident reports. Also, review any accident
reports prepared by your supervisor or employer
for accuracy, and obtain a copy for your records. If
you disagree with the report, write your employer
a letter explaining your position. (Chapter 5 takes
you through all the rules and procedures involved
with reporting your injury and filing a claim.)
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