What Should a Contractor Do After an Employee Is Injured?
Start With the Employee’s Immediate Needs
The response should match the seriousness of the injury. Emergencies require immediate medical attention, while non-emergency injuries should still be addressed promptly through the appropriate workers’ compensation process.
Address Emergencies First
If the injury appears serious or life-threatening, obtain emergency medical assistance immediately and focus first on the employee’s safety.
Follow Medical Instructions
For non-emergency care, follow the procedures provided by the workers’ compensation carrier, claims administrator, or applicable medical provider network.
Protect the Work Area
If an unsafe condition contributed to the incident, take reasonable steps to prevent additional injuries while preserving useful information about what occurred.
Record What Happened While the Details Are Fresh
Contractors should have a consistent process for reporting work-related injuries to the appropriate workers’ compensation contact and collecting basic information about the incident.
Report the Injury
Notify the workers’ compensation insurance carrier, claims administrator, or designated reporting contact promptly and follow applicable state requirements.
Document the Incident
Record the date, time, location, work being performed, reported injury, equipment involved, and other relevant facts.
Identify Witnesses
Note the names and contact information of employees or other people who witnessed the incident when appropriate.
Preserve Useful Records
Keep relevant photographs, incident reports, safety records, work assignments, and other documents according to company procedures.
Keep Communication and Recovery Organized
Once the claim process begins, the employer may need to coordinate with the employee, claims administrator, medical providers, and supervisors as work restrictions and recovery needs develop.
Stay in Contact
Maintain reasonable communication with the injured employee regarding claim information, scheduling, and work status.
Review Work Restrictions
Medical providers may identify temporary restrictions that affect what duties the employee can safely perform during recovery.
Consider Modified Work
When medically appropriate and consistent with applicable requirements, temporary modified duties may help an employee return to productive work.
Review the Incident
Use the incident as an opportunity to identify reasonable safety improvements, training needs, or changes to jobsite procedures.
Review Your Contractor Workers’ Compensation Coverage
Best Formula Insurance can help contractors review workers’ compensation insurance options, employee classifications, payroll exposures, policy requirements, and available coverage for their workforce.