What To Do If You Are Injured at Work

    ATLANTA, GA, January 07, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Individuals who work in the Atlanta area are protected under Georgia Law if they are injured while on the job. The Bill of Rights for the Injured Worker published by the State Board of Workers' Compensation outlines the protections afforded to Georgia workers. Any injury, illness or death arising out of and in the course of employment is by definition covered by the workers' compensation program.

A worker who is injured in the course of his / her employment is eligible to receive treatment and compensation for their injuries. The Georgia Workers' Compensation Law provides workers with rights and outlines their responsibilities in the event of a work related injury. An employee's failure to fulfill their responsibilities can impact their ability to exercise their rights and receive benefits.

Any time a worker is injured in the course of their employment there are reporting requirements and actions that must be taken. To ensure that an employee receives the treatment and compensation they are entitled to the following steps must be taken:

- Get first aid if needed - First aid should be administered for injuries requiring immediate attention. After administering first aid the employee may need to seek medical attention for follow up or additional treatment. First aid life saving measures should be administered for life threatening injuries until emergency responders arrive to care for the injured employee.

- Report the injury - All work related injuries must be reported to the employer as soon as possible.

- Visit a physician or chiropractor if necessary - Minor injuries may not require medical attention. To ensure that an adequate assessment and treatment plan are identified the worker should visit a physician or chiropractor. The employer will inform the worker of medical practitioners eligible to provide care to injured employees.

- Complete a Worker's Report of Injury - Timely reporting is an essential ingredient to guarantying the rights of injured workers. The employer will provide the worker with the required form(s) to be completed in the event of an injury.

- Actively participate in recovery - Receiving medical treatments, participating in physical therapy and observing medically ordered restrictions are all elements of participating in recovery. The injured worker is required to follow the medically prescribed course of treatment as a condition of their receiving benefits.

The Bill of Rights for Injured Workers provides medical, rehabilitation and income benefits for an employee injured on the job. If an employee is killed as the result of a job related injure their dependents may also receive benefits.

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia and have suffered a workplace injury, please visit the website of Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to learn more. http://www.robbinslaw.com/

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