No one wants to think about the possibility of sustaining a serious injury. However, sometimes injuries can happen, even if you're very careful, and it's best to be prepared just in case. Here are four steps you should take if you're injured at work:

1. Notify your supervisor.

The first thing you should do after you get injured at work is to notify your supervisor. Let them know exactly where and how you were injured. This will allow your employer to document the incident, and they can also let you leave early to seek medical attention if required. It can be tempting to "walk it off" and keep going without addressing the injury, but this can cause more problems in the future.

2. Go to the doctor.

It's important that you get medical treatment right away, even if you think the injury you sustained isn't that bad. Some injuries can be hidden at first, only causing serious problems down the line. Head injuries are particularly notorious for this. In any case, it's important to have an official diagnosis and record of medical treatment in case you need further treatment in the future. For the purpose of worker's compensation, it's important to establish that you sustained the injury on the job.

3. File a worker's compensation claim.

According to NOLO, in most places in the United States, your employer is obligated to pay for your medical treatment until your worker's compensation claim is accepted or denied. However, you still need to file your claim in a timely manner. Fill out all the necessary paperwork and submit any required proof of your injury and subsequent medical treatment. If you need assistance filing your worker's compensation claim, a worker's comp attorney can help you. The amount of time it takes for a decision to be reached on your claim can vary, but in most cases you should hear back within two to three weeks.

4. Appeal a denial.

It's possible that your claim for worker's compensation might be denied. If this happens, the reason can vary, but it's usually due to insufficient evidence. Don't panic; a denial doesn't mean that you'll have to pay for all your medical bills yourself. At this point, you should hire an experienced worker's compensation attorney who can advise you on your next steps. They can help you make an appeal to get the benefits that you're entitled to.