Have you suffered an injury at work? Were you hurt while driving within the scope of your employment? Workers’ compensation insurance was established in Colorado to help you recover from incidents just like these.

The Colorado Approach to Workplace Safety 

In Colorado, employers are required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance — even when they have only one employee. The reason? Accidents happen. Workers slip and fall, objects fall on passersby, machinery malfunctions — the list goes on. When these things happen, employees and their families need to know that there are measures in place to protect their physical and financial well-being.

Recognizing Injuries & Occupational Diseases

Although broken bones, back injuries, and amputations are among the most well-known types of workplace injuries, Colorado recognizes other physical and psychological impairments as well. For instance:

What to Do After a Workplace Accident 

Step 1: Go See a Company-Appointed Doctor

Your health should absolutely be your first priority after a workplace accident. Go see a doctor — just check in with your employer to make sure you’re visiting a physician whose care will be legally recognized in your workers’ compensation claim.

Step 2: Report the Incident in Writing

No matter how good of terms you’re on with your boss, it’s important that you report your workplace accident correctly. By formally submitting a report in writing, you are in turn protecting yourself from potential consequences that could impact your workers’ compensation claim.

For instance, Colorado law states that failing to report the incident in writing within four days of its occurrence could mean losing up to one day’s compensation for each day that your report is late.

Timelines vary when the incident in question involves an occupational disease rather than an instantly obvious injury. The best thing to do is take immediate action when you know or suspect something is wrong.

Step 3: Talk to Your Boss About Filing

Assuming your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, they should report your accident to their insurance carrier within 10 days of the incident. If they fail to do so, or if they do not have workers’ compensation insurance, you can still apply for the benefits yourself.

In Colorado, the employee application process begins by filling out a form called “Workers’ Claim for Compensation,” which is provided by the Division of Workers’ Compensation.

Step 4: Let an Attorney Help

You are not required to have an attorney in order to file for workers’ compensation, but if your employer is uncooperative, if anything about the application process is unclear, or if you’ve already applied and had your application denied, an experienced lawyer can take that stress off your shoulders and get your case back on track.