Regardless of your profession, there’s a chance you could suffer a deep laceration at some point in your day. This may be more common in jobs in which you use your hands, but even those who sit in an office all day could find themselves dealing with this type of injury.
A laceration can be a challenge to treat, especially if the cut is deeper than anything you’ve dealt with in the past. Some of the most important things to do include:
- Stop the bleeding as soon as possible
- Clean and protect the area until you can consult with a medical professional
- Seek immediate medical treatment
- Follow the advice of your doctor
While these are among the most important things to consider when treating a laceration, you shouldn’t assume you can fix the problem on your own.
For example, if you’re unable to stop the bleeding, you need to call 911. The same holds true if you are lightheaded and/or short of breath.
It’s easy to assume that the bleeding will eventually stop and you can let the laceration heal, but it’s not always this simple.
Depending on the severity and location of your injury, you may not be able to return to work right away. Instead, you’ll need to take time away from your job to let the problem area heal.
If you find yourself in this position, you should consider your ability to file a claim for ‘ benefits. You may be able to receive until you can return to your previous job (or a similar position).
Source: Web MD, “Cuts or Lacerations Treatment,” accessed Feb. 07, 2018
