Five Steps a Union Delegate Should Take After a Nurse or Hospital Worker Is Injured

When a nurse or hospital worker gets hurt on the job, some union delegates try to file paperwork immediately and move on to the next case. That instinct makes sense, but it’s only one step in a larger process. Rushing everything might lead to missing key details that could affect your co-worker’s claim eligibility.

If you’re a union delegate and want to get the process right, here are five things you need to do from the start.

1. Report The Accident Right Away

New York gives injured workers up to 30 days to notify their employer. But we recommend that all union delegates help them start the paperwork immediately. Waiting towards the end of the 30-day period might lead to delays. The sooner the injury is reported, the harder it is for anyone to question whether the injury actually happened on the job.

2. Make Sure They Get Medical Treatment

Encourage the injured union member to see a doctor as soon as possible, even for minor accidents. Some injuries might seem small at first glance, but can become a huge problem later on. Early medical evaluations also create a paper trail of the injury itself, including the day it happened. This documentation serves as indispensable evidence during their claim.

3. Document And Preserve Any Evidence

Once the injured union member is safe, it’s time to gather evidence. Write down dates, witness names, the equipment involved, photos, or any other relevant details. There’s a lot of movement happening in a hospital throughout the day, so document everything you can within the first day or two. Waiting too long makes it harder to reconstruct exactly what happened.

4. Speak To A Lawyer Sooner Than Later

Don’t wait until there’s a problem to bring in an attorney. Partnering up with legal help early on means someone is watching the claim from the start, rather than stepping in after delays or denials. This is especially useful for hospital workers, since many healthcare claims can involve anything from multiple departments to staffing agency arrangements in a single incident.

5. Screen for a Potential Third-Party Claim

Many injured workers think workers’ comp claims are the only option, but that’s not true. Before filing, ask yourself if:

• The equipment malfunctioned
• The accident happened at an outside facility or a home visit
• Another employee or contractor was involved

If the answer to any of these is yes, your union member might be eligible to file a third-party claim and receive additional compensation.

We’re Here to Help

Seeing a fellow hospital worker get injured can create a stressful experience for everyone involved. But understanding what to do after allows you to intervene and ensure they get compensated for damages.

Our experienced team of attorneys has represented injured nurses, aides, and hospital workers for decades. This includes union members from Local 1199, SEIU, and the New York State Nurses Association. If one of your members has been injured, our team is here to protect their rights from day one. Contact us at 855-598-1413 for a free consultation today.