If you get hurt on the job you want to know your rights, as well as your responsibilities, so you are properly taken care of. This short guide on workplace injuries will give you assistance with regards to knowing your rights and  responsibilities.

Your rights regarding workplace injuries

While an injured employee's rights may vary from state to state, there are some rights that tend to be common in most states. Some of the rights that tend to be granted in most states include the following:

• The right to file a claim with workers compensation when you are injured on the job. It is not up to your employer to allow or disallow it, or to decide whether an injury is severe enough to allow for you to put in a claim.
• The right to be properly treated for your injury, to have all necessary tests and treatments done, and to take advantage of therapy and/or rehabilitation to assist with your recovery.
• The right to go back to work on light-duty if your doctor has cleared you for this. The exception would be if your job has nothing that could be done on light-duty.
• The right to receive compensation for any disabilities caused from the incident that now make you unable to return to work. This compensation may be temporary or permanent, depending on your injury and your long-term prognosis.
• The right to work in a non-hostile environment in which you do not treat you unfairly or harassed due to your injury and/or the fact that you filed a claim.
• The right to appeal a decision made regarding your claim if you feel that the decision is not legally just.
• The right to have a lawyer who can help you through every step of the process.

Your responsibilities regarding workplace injuries

It is your responsibility to fill out an incident report and let your boss know about the injury as soon as possible once you have been injured on the job. The amount of time you have to report the incident to your employer varies depending on the state you are in, but by reporting it right away you will know you are within that time frame. Also, you will have an easier time remembering all the details right after the accident, and so will witnesses who saw what occurred.

It is your responsibility to know and to meet any and all deadlines regarding your case. These deadlines can be regarding turning in paperwork or forms, making it to mediation, appearing in court, etc.

It is your responsibility to read and make sure you understand any and all forms you sign that are related to your workplace injury. If you don't understand something, then it is also your responsibility to have it explained to you from someone you trust; a lawyer can be a great idea in this case. Contact a work injury attorney for more help.