Whenever there is an injury in the workplace, the sooner it is evaluated and treated, the more likely it is that the employee will be able to return to work feeling their best.
The Importance of Prompt Care
If an employee is injured at work, it is important to seek medical treatment right away, even if the injury seems minor. Prompt treatment of a work-related accident makes it more likely that they will recover faster and thus be able to return to their regular duties sooner. Both employees and employers should resist the urge to ever downplay the seriousness of an injury, as this can delay or impede their recovery, and ultimately affect their ability to return to work in a timely manner.
If an employee suffers a deep laceration, for example, it is imperative that the wound is evaluated immediately. If the cut is deep and wide enough, it’s best to get stitches as soon as possible. The human body begins the healing process right away, and the longer the laceration remains open, the more difficult it is to heal. Leaving a wound open too long increases the risk of infection, the severity of the injury, and thus the length of time an employee is out of work or unable to perform duties as expected.
In fact, the longer an employee is off due to an on-the-job injury, the less likely it becomes that they will ever return to work. Creating and implementing a strong return-to-work program can benefit both employers and injured workers. Even if an injured employee can’t return to their normal duties right away, bringing them back as soon as possible by providing modified-duty tasks or reduced hours can help them feel productive, maintain workplace relationships, recover faster, and stay in their normal work routine.
Employers need to have a full team to operate their business. Unfortunately, accidents do happen and injuries can occur in the workplace. When these circumstances arise, it is imperative to have any injury, regardless of the severity, evaluated and treated as soon as possible. Treating an injured employee quickly increases their ability to heal, recover, and return to work. Whether light-duty, modified-duty, or returning in the same capacity, employers should prioritize immediate healthcare in order to get employees back to work and feeling their best until they regain their full capacity.