What should you do after a workplace accident in North Dakota? Of course, you need prompt medical help for your injuries, but you also need to report the accident to your supervisor and regulatory agencies. Sometimes, people are reluctant to do so for fear that reporting an accident will anger their employer. Never forget that you have rights under North Dakota law as an injured employee.
Steps to Take after a Workplace Accident in North Dakota
After a workplace accident in North Dakota, the first thing you need to do is determine whether your injury is life-threatening. If it is, you must go to the emergency room immediately. Make sure to tell the medical staff that this is a work-related injury. Report the accident to your employer as soon as possible after getting your injuries tended to.
If your injury is not life-threatening, take these steps:
- Tell your supervisor about the accident.
- Fill out a First Report of Injury or FROI form.
- Answer questions on the FROI wholly and accurately.
- File your FROI as soon as possible.
- Ask your employer for their list of Designated Medical Providers.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible from a Designated Medical Provider. If your company has no DMPs, you can choose your doctor.
- Keep your employer and North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance updated.
- Contact a North Dakota workplace accident lawyer.
How to Report a Workplace Accident
To report a workplace accident in North Dakota:
- Complete an FROI form with Workforce Safety & Insurance.
- Fax the completed FROI form to the WSI at 701-328-3820 or 888-786-8695.
- Alternatively, you can mail your FROI to PO Box 5585, Bismarck, ND 58506-5585.
- If you have questions, you can call WSI at 800-777-5033.
When Should I Report a Workplace Accident?
Always report a workplace accident to your supervisor as soon as possible, even if you weren’t hurt badly enough to feel that you need medical treatment. Sometimes, an injury isn’t apparent right away.
You have one year to file a claim after a workplace injury. If a family member of yours died in a workplace accident, you have two years to file a claim. If you don’t discover the injury right away, you have one year from the date you discovered it or should have discovered it to file.
How to Handle Ongoing Care
There are three things to remember as you receive ongoing care for your injuries:
- Tell your medical provider that your injury is from a workplace accident.
- Ask your medical provider to send all medical records to the WSI.
- Give your employer a completed C3 or Capability Assessment Form after each appointment.
Your completed C3 will help your employer understand the timeline of your return to work and any restrictions that may be necessary.
Your Rights as an Employee
You have rights as an employee injured in a workplace accident in North Dakota. Your employer may not respond to your claim by:
- Harassing you
- Firing you
- Refusing to hire you for another position
- Discriminating against you
If you believe your employer has violated your rights, you should report the incident to the North Dakota Department of Labor and contact a North Dakota workplace accident lawyer.
Contact a North Dakota Workplace Accident Lawyer
Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. is a workplace accident lawyer with more than 100 years of experience. For generations, we have provided trusted legal advice to our neighbors here in North Dakota. We’ve handled construction accidents, farm accidents, oilfield accidents, and more. If you’ve been hurt in a workplace accident in North Dakota, you need skilled and reliable legal representation. Contact Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. today.
Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. is committed to supporting individuals in North Dakota, including Grand Forks, Minot, Fargo, Bismarck, Williston, Rugby, Devils Lake, Jamestown, and the surrounding areas. Our dedicated team is here to provide legal assistance and guidance to those facing the complex challenges that arise from these incidents.
