Getting hurt at work in Colorado can create a stressful medical and financial problem, and even if the injury seems minor, what you do next can affect your workers’ compensation claim because symptoms often become more serious later.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we help injured workers document the injury and avoid preventable mistakes. Our workers’ compensation attorneys can help you understand your obligations and protect the record of what happened.
The 10-Day Written Notice Rule Colorado Workers Miss
Colorado Revised Statutes § 8-43-102 requires an employee injured at work to notify the employer in writing within 10 days after the injury occurs. A verbal report to a supervisor does not satisfy that written-notice requirement.
The financial consequence deserves immediate attention. If you fail to report the injury in writing, you can lose up to one day’s compensation for each day you fail to report. The penalty can increase each day, so providing written notice promptly is safer than waiting until later.
If you are physically or mentally unable to provide notice, someone who knows about the injury must submit written notice to the employer. This could be:
- A foreman
- A superintendent
- A manager
- Another person in charge
If another person who knows about the injury gives written notice to the person in charge or the employer, you do not have to provide your own notice.
A late notice does not automatically mean your claim is over. You may still qualify for relief if the employer failed to give you a copy of the written notice or failed to display the required workplace notice at the time of the injury.
Practical Steps After a Colorado Work Injury
The steps you take after a work injury in Colorado help you preserve important information while you focus on getting care. Start with a clear written record:
- Report the injury to your employer in writing within 10 days
- Keep a dated copy of what you submit
- Report even a minor injury, because symptoms can develop later
- Get medical care if you need it
- Tell the medical provider that the injury happened at work
Do not rely on memory when a simple written record can document the timing. Save your copy somewhere you can reach later, and keep your medical history consistent about how the injury happened.
Call Us About Your Colorado Work Injury Today
The 10-day deadline can create real consequences, so act now. If you are hurt at work in Colorado, here’s what to do next: Call now and start your free consultation. We will review what happened and help protect your workers’ compensation claim because Wilhite Wins.
