Getting injured at work can result in physical and mental pain that can last for weeks, months, or in some cases years. Financial problems are also expected as you need to pay for medical bills and even suffer from loss of income. The worst part is, this chain of difficulties can impact the quality and way of living of the workers and their families.
Besides personal hardships, other consequences of workplace injuries include poor employee morale, reduced productivity, and even loss of work too. As an employee, you might be trained on how to perform your duties properly and safely. However, accidents do happen. And when they do, you should know the appropriate actions to take. Basically, you need to be compensated when you suffer from work-related injuries. Read on to find out the certain steps you should take after getting injured at work
- Seek professional medical help
The very first thing that you need to do is get the necessary medical care. Neglecting care cannot only worsen your condition and impair you more to get back into work. But besides that, your employers and the management will assume that your injury is not serious enough for compensation or care. Don’t act tough after getting injured due to a workplace accident and visit a doctor.
Follow every instruction given by the medical expert. If they recommend therapy or rehab for full recovery do it. If they provided you with several medications for the treatment, take them. If they suggest that you take a break from work, do it.
- Inform your manager or boss
Depending on the severity of your injury, it’s essential that you immediately inform your manager or employer about it. Do not hesitate to speak about the workplace incident. Injuries suffered due to workplace accidents are a no-fault. This means that you’ll still be covered and eligible to receive fair workers’ compensation even if you’ve made a mistake. There are laws that protect employees from retaliation like demotion and pay cuts. Take these things into account when planning for your workers’ compensation claim.
When speaking to your manager or employer about the incident, provide as many details as you can. These include the time and location of the accident, the name of the witnesses, and the injuries you’ve suffered. Be specific when discussing your injuries, from the physical to the emotional toll. Share the diagnosis and recommendations of your doctor, if necessary.
- Get in touch with a lawyer
The next thing you should do is to contact a good personal injury attorney. Having a legal professional to represent is imperative for ensuring your claim is created and processed correctly. They can also assist in gathering all the documents necessary to process the workers’ compensation claim. Find your legal counsel instead and avoid speaking to your company lawyer. Their job is to legally protect the best interests of the company. It’s business. Nothing personal. Get your lawyer and only speak to them regarding your plans for claims.
A good attorney can ensure you’ll be properly compensated for lost wages and other damages. If you have photos or video footage of the accident and your injuries, give them directly to your personal injury lawyer. Compile any piece of evidence and only share it with trusted people or legal counsel.
- Create an accident handbook
Besides speaking to your lawyer, it’s also a smart move to have your accident handbook where you can record everything. Many employers have them too. Have a personal accident handbook that contains all the essential information like the accident’s date and location, the circumstances surrounding it, the injuries you sustained, and the names of people who have witnessed and are involved. The handbook should be free from any omissions or errors. This is best shared with your doctor and lawyer for verification.
Treat your accident handbook like a diary where you write down every piece of information. Having this kind of reference can help you stay consistent and accurate with your story, from the day of the incident to your recovery. Inconsistencies may reduce your chances of winning the case, so you need to be careful. Moreover, record your financial losses in your accident diary and keep your medication and treatment receipts.
Getting injured at work can create emotional strain and financial difficulties. For that reason, it’s imperative that you know the right actions to take and how you can get fair compensation from your employer. But still, prevention is the best solution. Make your safety your top priority when working and always follow the safety protocols in your company.
