When to Schedule a Medical Exam After a Fall at Work

Falling at work can be disorienting and scary. Many people feel relieved if they come out of the fall feeling all right and decide to avoid an “unnecessary” trip to the doctor. 

However, it’s important to remember that workers’ compensation has specific reporting requirements and protocols; you don’t want to find out you’ve lost the opportunity after the fact.

So, what does this mean? Do you have to tell your manager that you fell? And how quickly should you receive a medical exam? Let us give you the information you need.

Injury and Health Urgent Care deals with all kinds of accidents. Our providers — Melissa Kempf, MD, and Shannon Wait, DNP, APRN, FNP-C — know how important it is to check all the boxes to receive the compensation you deserve.  

Falling at work

Falls are common in the workplace. While construction jobs have the highest instances of fall-related deaths, according to the CDC, nonfatal falls occur most commonly in the educational and health services and the healthcare and social assistance industries. 

Unfortunately, people slip and fall frequently, resulting in accidents that can create severe injuries. Many people who have fallen don’t realize immediately that they’ve been hurt. 

This may be due to adrenaline spiking through your body after a fall that can temporarily mask injuries. Also, many people are embarrassed to admit they’ve been hurt after a fall at work. 

Whatever type of job you have, there is always a potential for a fall. 

When to schedule a medical exam after a fall and why 

So, you’ve fallen, but you feel relatively okay. Maybe a little pain or discomfort, but that’s all, right? 

No matter how minor the situation seems, seeking a medical examination within 24 hours of your fall is essential. This may seem alarmist, but trust us, it’s necessary. 

For one, you may have been hurt worse than you realized. Remember what we said about not knowing how badly you’ve been injured because of adrenaline and the desire to cover up your embarrassment? 

Without a medical provider’s analysis, you may find out you were hurt much worse than you realized, and it’s essential you find this out sooner rather than later. 

In addition, your doctor will be able to do much more for you in the first 24 hours. Injuries allowed to worsen over time can cause additional issues or become harder to treat, which is another reason to schedule your medical exam right away. 

However, the most important reason is that your fall happened at work. If you file a claim for workers' compensation, you must follow protocol. This includes a doctor’s evaluation as quickly as possible. 

We know it’s embarrassing to fall at work. But please don’t leave money on the table because you’re self-conscious. 

Tell your manager immediately that you’ve fallen, and ask to go and see a doctor. Even if you have a mild injury, this is the best thing you can do for your future self. This way, you’ll be able to get the help you need as soon as you need it.

Do you need a post-fall medical examination?

We’re happy to provide information on how to file a workers' compensation claim. We’ll even work with your legal team to ensure you get everything you need for a strong claim. This is our promise to you.

Just call us to make an appointment at our San Antonio, TX, office, or visit us online. We’re here to help!