No construction worker expects to leave work for the day in an ambulance. But due to the very physical and dangerous aspects of that type of work, there is a very strong likelihood that a construction site injury could happen to you or a co-worker.

Seeking immediate and competent medical attention is vital, both to your recovery and to documenting your injury. The emergency room medical providers will record all of your complaints, and clearly and fully describe your injury, thus creating the first record to substantiate your claim. Make sure you mention everything that hurts, and describe as completely as possible how the accident happened. If the police responded, get a copy of the police report, as well as your hospital record as soon as possible. If anyone witnessed your injury, get their names, addresses and phone numbers, and see if they will give you a written statement. Taking these first steps can be crucial in determining if you will receive just compensation for your injuries.

Once you are home recovering, try to replay the accident in your mind, and determine if a faulty piece of equipment or negligence of another party was instrumental in causing your injury. If you are an employee of the construction company for whom you were working, you may be able to make a worker's compensation claim. If you are an independent contractor, and maintain your own worker's compensation insurance, you will have to notify them of your injury. Advising the proper parties at this stage are key to getting your medical bills paid, as well as compensating you for the time you are losing from work while you recover.

Be cautious about people contacting you to discuss the accident, particularly if they want to take a recorded statement, or offer you money in exchange for signing a release. Write everything down, from how you are feeling, to how much money you are spending on medical bills or supplies, as well as how much money you are losing by not working. Take pictures of your injury, and any medical equipment you need to use, such as a wheelchair, or walker.

If a machine's malfunction caused your injury, enlist the aid of your co-workers or family to take pictures of the machine, particularly of any identifying labels, and ask that it be safeguarded in the event you need to have it examined by an expert.

There are many things to consider if you get injured at work, and the task of keeping it all straight can be very overwhelming. Knowing what to do and what your rights are in those first terrifying days can be made easier by retaining an injury attorney who is well experienced in representing workers who have been injured on the job. It might just be the second most important thing you do, after getting medical treatment.