As hard as we try to avoid them, workplace injuries, and the lost time that accompanies them, are a constant concern for both employers and employees. If you’ve been injured on the job in Florida, the first report of injury form is a critical yet manageable step for your workers’ compensation claim. In this guide, we’ll be going over the ins and outs of the first report of injury, including our top 14 completion tips to help you through your claim.
What Is A First Report of Injury Form?
The first report of injury form is exactly what it sounds like; a form for starting the process of reporting an injury and ensuring employees receive the appropriate medical care and benefits. As a worker, it’s important for you to understand what goes into filing your claim in order to make sure your rights are protected.
Who Completes Report of Injury Forms?
First report of injury forms are completed by the employer, as they’re responsible for documenting and reporting workplace injuries to the insurance carrier. You’ll need to be present, however, to provide details about the incident, including personal information, specifics of the injury, and any immediate medical treatment received.
14 Essential Completion Tips for the First Report of Injury Form
There’s no questioning the fact that a lot of details go into filing a first report of injury, so we’ve compiled a list of our top tips to help smooth out the process.
1. Be Accurate and Thorough. Ensure all information on the first report of injury form is accurate and complete. You’ll need to include your social security number, email address, time of injury, and a full description of what happened.
2. Have Timeliness in Filing. Submit the first report of injury promptly. In Florida, injuries should be reported within 30-days, but the sooner you complete the form, the better.
3. Be Clear In Describing The Incident. Be clear and concise when describing how the injury occurred. Include what you were doing, any equipment or tools involved, and environmental factors like a wet floor or poor lighting.
4. Provide Detailed Medical Information. Include relevant medical details such as initial symptoms, medical providers seen, treatments received, and any pre-existing conditions you have that were aggravated in the incident.
5. Include Witness Information. Provide names and contact information for any witnesses to the incident.
6. Document Your Recovery Process. Mention any rehabilitation or recovery efforts you are undertaking.
7. Double-Check All Entries. Review everything before the first report of injury form is submitted to ensure that every field has been filled with info that’s both accurate and consistent.
8. Keep Copies Of Your Records. Always keep a copy of the completed first report of injury form and any other documents you submit.
9. Be Specific About The Injury. Be as precise and descriptive as possible, using “right forearm,” or “left elbow,” instead of simply “arm,” and “sprained,” “fractured,” or “lacerated” in place of “hurt,” and “sore.”
10. Include All Injuries. List all injuries sustained in the incident, even minor ones.
11. Write Neatly. If filling out a paper form, make sure your hand-writing is legible.
12. Be Consistent Across All Reports. Ensure the information on the first report of injury form matches what you've told your employer, doctor, and any other official report
13. Use Correct Injury Codes. If the form requires injury codes, use the correct ones. Your employer or HR department can provide guidance.
14. Include Near-Miss Incidents. Include any near-miss incidents leading up to your injury as they can provide important context.
The first report of injury form serves as an official record of your injury and initiates the claims process on your behalf. By completing it accurately, you lessen your risk of denial and speed up the overall claims process. It also acts as clear documentation in case of legal proceedings, ensuring your rights are protected throughout the workers’ compensation process.
Don’t Hope for the Best, Hire It - Get Frank Eidson On The Job
If there are aspects of the report of injury form you don’t understand, need assistance with, or have questions about, give us a call at 407-245-2887 or fill out our contact form for a no obligation case review.
