What to do after…
What to do when an employee is hurt at work
How the first day is handled shapes how a workplace injury goes for everyone. Here is a checklist for owners and supervisors.
Step by step
Safety first
- Get medical help right away. Call 911 for serious injuries.
- Make the area safe so no one else is hurt, and preserve equipment involved if you can.
Get the employee care
Make sure the employee gets appropriate medical treatment. Ask your insurer or agent in advance whether you should direct employees to a particular clinic.
Report it to your workers' compensation insurer
Report the injury as soon as possible. South Dakota sets deadlines for employees to report injuries and for employers to report them to the insurer, so do not wait.
Write down what happened
Record the date, time, place, what the employee was doing, witnesses, and what equipment was involved. Take photos of the area.
Stay in touch
Check in with the employee, and ask about light-duty work when the doctor allows it. Good communication helps people return to work.
Photograph, write down, and keep
Your record
- Written incident report with witness names
- Photos of the area and equipment
- Claim number and adjuster contact
- Doctor's work restrictions and return-to-work notes
Common regrets to avoid
- Telling an employee to use personal health insurance for a work injury
- Waiting to report the injury to your insurer
- Changing the scene or repairing equipment before photos
Keep your claims numbers in one place
Save each policy in a free PolicyChecked account and print a one-page insurance summary with every insurer's claims phone and your policy numbers. Create a free account
Need a hand?
Claims are reported to and decided by your insurance company. If you are not sure who to call or what your policy says, a licensed agent can help you find out: (888) 509-8502.
Questions
Know what you're covered for before you need it.
Check your coverage free in about a minute, then talk with a licensed agent about anything you want to change or quote.