Electricians keep our lights on and our power grid running smoothly. Unfortunately, working as an electrician can be hazardous—especially if employers, property owners, and other contractors fail to take proper safety precautions. Federal government data shows that nearly 7,000 electricians nationwide are forced to take time-off to recover from a job-related injury or illness each year.
This raises an important question: What do you do if you are an electrician who suffers an employee injury? At Injured Workers’ Law Firm, we advocate for people who have been hurt while on the job. Here, our Virginia workers’ compensation attorney highlights the next steps to take if you are an electrician who suffered an employee injury.
Step #1: Get Immediate Medical Care for Any Injuries (An Emergency is the Priority)
Medical needs come first. As an electrician who was hurt on the job in Virginia, it is imperative that you seek prompt medical attention. If the injury is severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room without delay. More modest injuries still need to be evaluated by a doctor. Without medical records, you cannot bring a workers’ comp claim.
Step #2: Notify Your Employer that You Sustained an Injury
Virginia law requires that employees hurt on the job—including employee electricians—notify their employer in a timely manner. As soon as possible after receiving initial medical treatment, inform your employer about the injury. Be sure to report the accident/incident within 30 days. Failure to do so could undermine your legal rights.
Step #3: Document What Happen (Cause, Injury, etc)
Virginia is a no-fault workers’ comp state. Still, it is crucial that you document what happened. Record every detail regarding the incident and your injuries. Take note of the job you were performing, how the injury occurred, the equipment involved, and any witnesses.
Step #4: File for Workers’ Compensation Benefits
A workers’ comp claim is not filed automatically for an electrician in Virginia—even if you notify your employer of your accident. File a claim for workers’ comp benefits as soon as possible. All employees in Virginia are covered by workers’ comp. You can seek no-fault benefits through a claim—meaning you do not have to prove your employer’s negligence caused your injuries.
Step #5: Take Additional Legal Action as Needed (Workers’ Comp Appeal, Third Party Claim)
If your workers’ compensation claim is denied, or if another party besides your employer is responsible for your injury, consider taking additional legal action. You may need to file a workers’ comp appeal and/or a third party liability claim. These are more complicated cases and a Virginia workers’ comp lawyer with experience representing electricians can help.
Contact Our Virginia Electrician Employee Injury Attorney Today
At Injured Workers’ Law Firm, we are proud to be the advocates for injured workers. Are you an electrician who was hurt while on the job? We are here to help. Call us at (804) 755-7755 or send us a message for a confidential initial consultation. We represent electrician employees in workers’ compensation claims throughout Virginia.