3 Reasons Why You Should Report All Workplace Injuries Even Minor Ones

Workplace injuries come in all varieties, ranging from extremely minor to devastating and incapacitating. Common injuries include paper cuts, sprain and burns along with more severe injuries, such as broken bones and amputations. While rare, people have even been killed on the job. So what should you do if you get injured on the job? If you need medical attention for your injury, you will likely file an injury report with your employer so you can get workers compensation benefits. But what should you do if you have a seemingly minor injury, such as a paper cut? You should still fill out an incident report.

The Law Requires It

Depending on where you live, you are subject to a variety of federal and state laws pertaining to workplace injuries. In your state, you may be required to file an incident report regardless of how minor your injury is. What's more, if you do have to go to the hospital for your injury, OSHA requires that you file an official report with them within a certain time frame. The time frame varies according to the severity of injury. 

Employee Policies Vary

If you don't want to report a minor incident, you might have to sign a liability waiver or sign off on an employer-generated report, depending on your company's policy. Many companies require reporting so that they are covered if something comes up later down the road. Additionally, some employers keep track of minor injuries so they can make changes for the better when it comes to workplace safety. For example, if multiple employees keep getting scratched or cut by the edge of a piece of equipment, they might want to put a guard in place to prevent future injuries. 

Minor Injuries Can Get Worse

Minor scrapes and cuts can get worse, especially if they get infected. What seems like a small cut can quickly turn into an abscess that requires emergency medical intervention. If you don't file a report when the incident occurs, you may find it difficult to prove that your injury happened at work, which will make it difficult for you to collect benefits for your injury. 

As you can see, there are several reasons why you should file an injury report for all injuries sustained on the job, even minor ones. The law and company reporting requirements may require it, and it's also in your best interest to create a paper trail for every injury you sustain. 

For more information, contact a company like Hardee and Hardee LLP.