Laborers and Machine Operators Injured on the Job If you are a laborer or a machine operator, you face a challenging work environment day after day. You may be lifting, bending, carrying, doing repetitive hand motions, standing on your feet, and working with or repairing dangerous machinery day after day. Regardless of whether you are using saws and routers in a wood furniture factory or you are dealing with molding hot metal for automotive parts, you face dangers on the job. Because your family relies on your paycheck, you may be worried about what would happen if you were hurt at work. Your employer has you covered by workers’ compensation at no cost to you. This insurance is designed to cover your lost paychecks and provide your medical care in the event you experience an injury or illness related to your work. Work related injuries are a serious matter, so you need to be aware of what to do if you are hurt on the job. Injuries You May Face Because of the repetitive hand motions of a laborer or machine operator, you could suffer from carpal tunnel. Despite wearing steel-toed boots, you can suffer foot injuries from dropped pallets, tow motors, or equipment. Press operators have suffered crushed hands, saw operators have suffered serious lacerations that included severed arteries, and those in the automotive industry have been severely burned by hot liquid metal being poured into molds. You may slip and fall on the concrete floor despite wearing shoes with slip-resistant soles. Stacked boxes could shift, causing the boxes or products to fall on you. Staple guns or nail guns could malfunction, causing you to be punctured by nails or staples. There are dozens of ways you can be injured regardless of how cautious you are at work. What to Do if You Are Injured at Work If you are hurt at work, the first thing you should do is notify your manager or supervisor as quickly as possible. Do not continue working. Instead, stop work and let your supervisor know. Continuing work could worsen your injury. Also you want to report the injury quickly for legal reasons and for workers’ compensation coverage. If you have suffered a head injury or other serious injury, such as a major laceration or compound fracture, call 911. Otherwise, proceed to a physician’s office or an emergency room. Make sure an accident report is completed accurately at your work. If possible, complete it yourself. Give the details to the proper person as quickly as possible and while they are fresh in your mind. This will help your workers’ comp claim as well. Make sure you follow through with medical treatment and follow your doctor’s orders. Don’t return to work before your doctor permits because you could hurt yourself even worse. The Workers’ Comp Claim When you are injured, the accident report should be used to file the claim with the workers’ compensation insurance provider for your employer. Do not try to talk with the insurance company or reach a settlement with them on your own. Instead, an experienced workers’ comp attorney can make sure your rights are protected, you have complete access to the medical care you may need now and in the future, and that you are fairly compensated for your lost wages. Additional Resources Del Monte Foods
