Pain at work can hit without warning. One moment you stand. The next you sit on the floor, hurt and scared. In that instant, your health and your paycheck both feel at risk. You may wonder who to call, what to say, and how to protect your job. You may fear making one wrong move. This guide walks you through the first steps after a work injury in Virginia. You learn what to report, what to write down, and what treatment to ask for. You also learn how to guard your claim from common traps. At each step, you stay focused on three goals. You protect your body. You protect your income. You protect your rights. If you feel pressured or unsure, a Virginia injured at work lawyer can help you sort through hard choices and deadlines.
Step 1: Get to a safe place and seek medical help
First, move away from the hazard if you can. Do not stay near sharp tools, moving parts, or fumes. Sit or lie down where you can breathe and think.
Next, ask for medical help right away. Tell a supervisor that you are hurt and need care. If the injury is serious, call 911 or ask a coworker to call.
When you see a doctor, share three things in clear words.
- Where you hurt
- How the injury happened at work
- Every symptom, even small ones
Use simple terms. Say “I hurt my back when I lifted a box” instead of “I am fine.” Early care protects your health and also supports your claim.
Step 2: Report the injury to your employer in writing
Virginia law sets strict time limits. You must tell your employer about the injury within 30 days. So do it as soon as you can.
Take these steps.
- Tell your supervisor the same day if possible
- Put the report in writing by email, text, or a work form
- Keep a copy or a screenshot for your records
Include three key facts.
- The date and time of the injury
- The place at work where it happened
- A short clear description of what you were doing
Use calm words. Do not guess or exaggerate. If you do not remember a detail, say that you do not know yet.
Step 3: Understand Virginia workers’ compensation basics
Workers’ compensation is a system that can pay for medical care and part of your lost wages after a work injury. It is not a lawsuit against your employer. It is an insurance claim.
The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission explains your rights and duties in plain terms at the official site of the Commission at https://www.workcomp.virginia.gov/content/injured-workers.
In most cases, workers’ compensation may cover three main things.
- Medical care that is reasonable and needed
- Part of your lost wages if you cannot work
- Support if you cannot return to your old job
It does not pay for pain and suffering. It also has strict rules about which doctors you may see.
Step 4: Choose a doctor from the employer’s panel
In Virginia, your employer or its insurance company may give you a “panel” of three doctors. You must pick one doctor from that list to have your care covered.
If you go to your own doctor without approval, the insurance company may refuse to pay. So ask for the panel as soon as you report the injury.
Here is a simple comparison to help you see the impact of this choice.
| Choice | What it means for you | Risk to your claim |
|---|---|---|
| Pick a doctor from the panel | Care is usually covered if it is related to the work injury | Lower risk of unpaid medical bills |
| Go to your own doctor without approval | You may pay out of pocket for visits and treatment | Higher risk that the insurer denies payment |
| Refuse all panel doctors | You may lose the right to covered care | Very high risk to the whole claim |
During each visit, remind the doctor that the injury happened at work. Ask the doctor to write work limits in clear terms.
Step 5: Follow medical orders and work limits
Once you have a doctor, follow the treatment plan. Go to every appointment. Take prescribed medicine as directed. Use work restrictions.
If the doctor says “no lifting over 10 pounds” or “no standing more than 2 hours,” give that note to your employer. Ask for light duty work that fits those limits.
If your employer offers work that fits the limits, try to do it. If you refuse light duty without a good reason, you may lose wage benefits. If the job does not match the doctor’s note, speak up at once and ask for changes.
Step 6: File a claim with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission
Reporting the injury to your employer is not enough. You must file a claim with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission to protect your rights.
In most cases, you must file within two years of the date of the injury. Waiting can cost you every benefit.
You can learn how to file a claim, use forms, and track your case at the Commission’s site at https://www.workcomp.virginia.gov/content/how-file-claim-benefits.
Before you file, gather these documents.
- Accident reports and emails to your employer
- Medical records and work notes
- Pay stubs for the months before the injury
Keep copies in a safe place at home. Use a folder or a simple notebook to track dates and names.
Step 7: Protect your claim from common mistakes
Some choices can quietly weaken your claim. Watch for these three common mistakes.
- Not reporting the injury at once or missing deadlines
- Posting about the injury or your activities on social media
- Returning to heavy work before the doctor clears you
Insurance adjusters may study your statements and records. Use the same simple and honest story every time. If you do not understand a form, ask for an explanation.
Step 8: Know when to seek legal help
You may need extra support if your claim is denied, your checks stop, or your employer pressures you to return before you are ready. You may also need help if you had a prior injury to the same body part or if the injury is severe.
A lawyer who handles work injury cases in Virginia can explain your options, speak for you at hearings, and watch for unfair treatment. You stay in control of your choices, but you do not face the system alone.
After a work injury, you may feel shock, anger, or shame. Those feelings are common. You still have clear steps you can take. Get safe. Get care. Report the injury. Follow the doctor’s plan. File your claim. Guard your rights. Each step lowers your fear and steadies your future.
