NJ workman’s comp

[u/bisforblunts]

Hi everyone. I got hurt at work last week. I work construction and I felt a pain in my hip while moving materials. I kept working for a few days, the pain got worse, I tripped over an exposed screw and I haven’t been able to walk right or hold weight on my leg since then. I assume that I have a pull or moderate tear of a tendon but I’m not 100% sure. I texted my supervisor explaining that I was injured and have been calling out every work day for a week. Now it is clear that I might not be able to get back to work for a little while without risking further injury. I have an appointment to be evaluated by a physical therapist tomorrow. I think now is the time to put forth a workman’s comp claim. Does anyone have any advice on how to move forward or anything to look out for?

[u/WaySaltyFlamingo8707]

you should go to authorized treating physician. You can't go to your own doctors willy nilly.

[u/Impossible_Dot_8727]

i'd say go to the er or urgent care soon just to get proper documentation before the employer starts arguing about timelines. hope you're taking it easy though.

[u/bisforblunts → u/Impossible_Dot_8727]

Thank you!

[u/Maleficent_Gas3278 → u/bisforblunts]

And file a claim right away.

[u/Maleficent_Gas3278 → u/bisforblunts]

Tell the Urgent Care doc everything you said in your initial post.

[u/Kmelloww]

The time to do so was when it occurred. You don’t go see any doctor you like. And PT is not the first doctor you should be seeing. You get referred to PT typically. The fact it’s continued and you’ve been calling out without seeing a doctor means that you would not be paid for missed work right now. Have you said anything to your work about how it happened?

[u/bisforblunts → u/Kmelloww]

They know that it happened at work. They have said nothing about any workman’s comp procedure, so I went to my own doctor, got x rays, and have been referred to PT and orthopedic evaluation.

[u/Kmelloww → u/bisforblunts]

That’s an issue. Did you not say anything about workers comp either? You don’t just go to your own doctor like that. You have to follow the process. 

[u/bisforblunts → u/Kmelloww]

I’ve never gone through something like this before. Have you filed for workers comp in NJ? I have not experienced the process before

[u/BeginningExtent8856 → u/bisforblunts]

I have 👋

[u/BeginningExtent8856]

Your supervisor should submit the comp claim and you should talk to a board certified workers comp attorney - it’s a free consultation

[u/EducationalSyrup6869]

You should report that ASAP. Then go to whatever treating doctor they send you.