Getting hurt at work can be a very distressing experience. Besides the resulting injuries, it is not uncommon to worry about how your employer will handle the situation. Will they blame you for the mishap that resulted in your injury? Will they take care of your medical bills? What about lost wages?
Fortunately, injured workers have rights in Kentucky per the state’s workers’ compensation laws. Understanding these rights can help you safeguard your interests and pursue justice following your injury.
Here are two rights you need to be aware of if you are hurt at work:
1. You have a right to seek medical treatment
If you are hurt under any circumstance, it is important that you seek treatment as soon as possible. And in some instances, Kentucky workers’ comp laws allow you to choose where to seek treatment. A comprehensive medical evaluation is not only key to establishing the extent of your injuries but also ensuring that you obtain a medical report that directly links your injuries to the workplace accident in question.
2. You have the right to file a worker’s comp claim
Immediately following the injury, it is important that you notify your employer of your injuries and file your workers’ compensation claim. However, it is important to understand that there are important timelines for these. For instance, you should report your injury within 3 working days. Next, you need to file your workers’ compensation claim within two years from the date of the injury.
Workplace accidents happen all the time. Understanding your rights following your work-related injury is key to pursuing justice and receiving the benefits you are entitled to when you are hurt at work.