When you are working for an employer as an independent contractor, freelancer or temporary contract employee and you are injured, you must take these steps to protect your rights and your health.

What to Do If You Are Injured While Working

In today’s economy, many people are not hired as full-time, permanent employees. If you are working as an independent contractor, freelancer or temporary contract staffer and become injured, you still have the same rights as anyone else who is injured on the job. Working with a personal injury lawyer can help to ensure that you get the treatment and compensation that is necessary to protect your physical and financial well-being.

Seek Medical Treatment

The first step in dealing with an accident while working is getting first aid or medical treatment. Your injuries might even require an ambulance, emergency room visit or hospitalization. Getting treatment and obtaining documentation of your injuries is essential. In non-emergency situations, you will need to go to a worker’s compensation provider. In an emergency, you can receive treatment from any medical provider.

Notify the Employer

Notify the employer within 30 days of your injury. This is necessary for you to file a worker’s compensation claim. You will need to inform the employer in writing. The human resources office may have paperwork or your physician may have paperwork specifically for this purpose. Failure to inform the employer or filing the paperwork late could result in the denial of your claim. You will need to file a claim even if you intend to file a lawsuit.

Independent Medical Examination

The employer may require that you get an independent medical examination through the physician of their choice or from your choice of a list of approved physicians. This medical exam is performed to verify the extent of your injuries. The results will be reported back to the employer. You will also need to prove that you are following your discharge instructions in order to make a recovery. If your worker’s compensation claim is denied, your attorney might consider a lawsuit.