(Newswire.net — May 2, 2020) — Dental injuries can occur at any time and are generally defined as an injury that causes displaced, damaged, or lost teeth or damage to gums. Dental injuries can cause bleeding, swelling, and severe pain, and they should be treated as serious injuries. Dental injuries are commonly caused by falls or being hit in the face. They can occur in car accidents or be a result of hard contact in sports, but they can also occur in the workplace.
While high-risk occupations like construction and emergency response are common suspects for injuries, a dental injury can occur in any industry for virtually any reason. Slips and falls are among the most common workplace injuries, and falls can easily result in hard contact with the face. Dental injuries can also occur from causes as simple as biting down too hard at lunch and cracking a tooth. Fillings can come out, or a tooth could have a flare of intense pain at any moment. Fortunately, workers’ compensation insurance is there to help you with any type of workplace accidents or injuries. Here are some steps you should take if you find yourself with a dental injury on the job.
Communicate With Management
If possible, injured workers should communicate their injury to staff as soon as it happens. If you’re unable to speak due to dental or facial pain, try to alert other employees who can inform management of your injury. Management should have a list of in-network dentists and urgent care facilities that are covered by your employer’s insurance company. This makes it easy for you to get medical care and can make filing a workers’ compensation claim go more smoothly in the future.
It’s also a good idea to talk to your company’s HR manager as soon as you can. They can help connect you with the company’s healthcare agent and attorneys to determine if your injury qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits.
While communicating your injury to staff is important, it’s something you can always come back to later if you need emergency care. Getting treatment for your injury is always the top priority. This is primarily for your own safety as immediate treatment gives you your best chance at a quick recovery. An early orofacial pain diagnosis can also help identify any problems that could lead to chronic pain like jaw pain, tooth pain, or headaches. Dental pain can be debilitating and significantly impact your quality of life, so it’s important to get a thorough examination.
You also need to get treatment as soon as possible to prove that your injuries were all caused by workplace incidents. Insurance companies make their money by denying claims, and they’ll have an easier time doing this if they can argue your injuries came from another source.
File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
If your injury is covered under workers’ compensation, you’ll need to file a claim in a timely manner. States each have their own regulations as to how limited your time is. You typically won’t be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if the injury happened outside the workplace, occurred due to the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if it was a self-inflicted injury. If you do qualify, you can receive medical benefits that cover your treatment, medications, and additional care you may require. You can also be compensated for any wages lost while you’re unable to work.
If you believe you’ve had a claim unfairly delayed or denied, it’s a good idea to contact a workers’ compensation lawyer to fight for your rights. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, the best Chicago workers compensation attorney, points out the insurance companies often try to interpret claims in such a way that lets them avoid paying the maximum benefits that should be awarded under the law. A law firm with years of experience can give you your best chance to have your medical bills covered and to receive any other benefits you deserve. You can even contact a workers’ compensation firm for a free consultation to see if you have a workers’ compens