Nobody ever goes to work thinking and believing that something bad is going to happen. When I say bad, I refer to a potential accident that may lead to minor or severe injuries. But unfortunately, no one can ever predict that.
At the end of the day, all of us go to work thinking that our employer is going to keep us safe. However, as I stated above, these things happen from time to time, and there’s no way to foresee them.
Now, if you’ve had an accident at work, and you’re not sure what you are supposed to do next, then take a look at these tips below because they’ll provide you with some useful instructions. So let’s check them out together!
Notify Your Employer
If you’ve been injured at the company you are working for, then it’s of huge importance to report this incident as soon as possible. In case you didn’t know, every business is obligated to have an accident book, hence you need to ensure that your injuries are recorded in your accident book.
If you notice that your employer doesn’t want to allow you to record it, then please be more persistent. If you’re scared that he or she is going to delete it, later, at some point, then be sure to take a picture of it and demand a copy of the entry.
Why is this essential? Namely, precisely something like this is going to prove that you’re not making anything up, which is particularly important if you’re planning on filing a personal injury claim.
You Must Have A Lawyer
In these types of situations, having a lawyer by your side, is very desirable, to say the least. Luckily, the United States is packed with excellent attorneys. According to some reports, there are more than 135,000 of them solely in this country.
Of course, not every single one of them is as equally skilled and seasoned, but I believe that you’ll be able to find a good one because you truly need it. Without this person, you won’t be able to get the compensation you demand.
However, in order to do so, it must be somebody who has specialized in worker’s compensation cases before. To prove to you how essential it is to work with a legal expert, I will mention a widely known 3m earplug lawsuit which represents a class-action lawsuit during which over 300,000 veterans were filing a lawsuit against 3M for faulty earplugs which have allegedly damaged their hearing. Although the company didn’t admit liability, they’ve agreed to pay $9.1 million.
And it’s all by virtue of a personal injury advocate. Therefore, if you want to file this type of lawsuit, or any other for that matter, please make sure to contact a solicitor, because without him/her you cannot expect a positive outcome.
Don’t Forget To Call 911 Or Seek Medical Help
Even if you feel relatively okay, this still shouldn’t prevent you from examining your injuries. If they seem potentially severe, then it’s crucial to immediately seek medical help so you can be taken to the hospital.
Now, there are some people who do not perceive their injuries as serious which is why they refuse to go to the doctor. But what they fail to realize is the fact that only a good healthcare provider is able to determine if the injuries are serious or not.
What I would like to remind you is the fact that it’s pivotal to be very detailed and honest with your physician and of course, to accentuate the fact that your injuries are work-related. There are some employers who have certain healthcare providers or healthcare institutions on-site, so be sure to employ them so you can get the help you need as soon as you can.
Mark Your Expenses
If you’ve been injured at work, then it’s of huge importance to keep a record of every single thing that’s related to your injury. Jot everything down (that’s relevant, of course) because precisely this is going to help you with your worker’s compensation claim.
For starters, be sure to write down all the days you didn’t go to work due to these injuries. According to the worker’s compensation law, you should get weekly wage replacement payments, which normally occur when you do not go to work for one week.
Another crucial thing that needs to be done is to mark any costs concerning your medical treatments as well. This refers to any surgeries, procedures, and medications that you’ve had. Additionally, if you were forced to travel in order to receive medical help, then don’t forget to track the mileage too.
From what I know, you are supposed to receive money for mileage that’s more than twenty miles.
Take Pictures Of The Accident Scene
Something like this is very important because it’s going to give your employer an insight into what has caused the accident, which is a huge thing because maybe he or she will do something about it to ensure that no one else gets injured in the future.
Another reason why it’s essential to take pictures of the accident scene is that they are going to help your lawyer build a case against the company and of course, give you the compensation you need and deserve.
You Must Know All Your Rights
As I stated in the beginning, every employer has a duty to protect his/her workers because, after all, no one wants to feel unsafe at work, right? Thereby, if you’ve been hurt due to an employer’s negligence, you have every right to file a compensation claim.
I know that there are lots of people who are scared of doing so, because of the potential consequences. But don’t worry. Even if you (God forbid) get fired after claiming, you could always file a claim for unfair dismissal.
As you can see, there are a number of steps that need to be taken in these types of situations. Therefore, if you want to increase the chances of having good compensation, then make sure not to miss any of these steps above.
