Workplace related accidents happen more often than you might think. It could be anything as simple as a minor cut or a bruise. But one thing to note is that you just cannot afford to ignore any type of workplace-related accident. Yes, minor injuries included. Unfortunately, there’s a misconception that workplace-related accidents will typically involve serious and significant injuries. Truth be told, those repetitive minor strains you experience while on the job matter too. These can be anything from sprains, strains, and muscle aches.
But the worries of losing an income in the process of seeking treatment have often led to so many employees forfeiting their rights to claim compensation. In the bitter end, they’ll either quit or move on to a lower position because of underperformance. But when work policies are followed to the letter, it could help trigger action and special follow-ups with employees who’ve been injured while on the job. To cut to the chase, there are rights that protect employees who’ve been hurt while on the job and you should by no means, even when coerced, forfeit these rights.
So, to help you out, here’s what you can do if you’ve had an accident at work.
Get your injuries evaluated immediately
The thing is, you don’t want to give your employer, insurance adjusters, or anyone else for that matter the benefit of doubt regarding your injuries. It can always be assumed that your injuries are unrelated to your work if you hesitate to seek immediate medical assistance. If you work in a good company, they’ll be proactive in ensuring that you receive treatment right from the workplace, in providing you with first aid services to calling an ambulance. They’ll even go a step further to helping you file for worker’s compensation benefits. But the same cannot be said with companies that exploit their employees. So before you get duped into forfeiting your rights, take matters into your hands before it’s too late and seek immediate medical assistance.
Know your rights
The law requires that employers provide their employees with safe work environments. Sometimes these duties are often ignored and employees are forced to work in deplorable conditions. But workplace accidents can still happen even in the most secure and safe workplace environments. Either way, when you’ve been injured while on the job, there are rights that protect you. These are rights that will ensure that you’ll be fully compensated. Now, you can read about your rights here to know the various steps that need to be followed right after you’ve had an accident in your workplace. This will help increase your chances of being fully compensated for your injuries, recover lost wages/income, and help you to take care of your family.
Below are employee rights after a workplace-related accident:
- The right to file an injury claim
- The right to consult with a physician of your choosing
- The right to return to work after full recovery
- The right to disability compensation if you’re unable to return to work
- The right to appeal if the claim is denied
- The right to be represented by a personal injury attorney
When it comes to your rights, the most important thing you can do is report your injuries to your employer. But this will all depend on the nature of your injuries and the circumstances through which the injuries were sustained.
File for workers’ compensation
After a workplace accident, it’s important to file for workers’ compensation. This is clearly specified in your rights. Filing for workers’ compensation benefits will help pay for your medical bills, help you recover lost wages/income, and help you take care of your household needs. Depending on the severity of your injuries, the workers’ compensation program can also pay for your disability benefits if you’re unable to return to work. However, all this will depend on the procedures and steps you take soon after the accident. This means that you need to document your injuries, report your injuries to your employer, and keep all the medical records.
Hire a personal injury attorney
Personal injury cases are intricate and complex. This is because it’s a fight against insurance adjusters. And as you may be aware, they don’t like to lose. They’ll do anything they possibly can to deny or reduce your compensation. Hiring a personal injury attorney will help increase your chances for a fair compensation.
However, there are crucial factors that you need to consider before hiring a personal injury attorney. These include:
- They need be experienced
- They should be willing to work on a contingency basis
- They must be ready to go to trial
- They should have a good reputation
- They should have an approachable personality
It’s no easy thing falling victim to a workplace-related accident. This is a distressing situation that can leave an employee helpless and confused. In addition to this, it can be hard to find reliable information to help you in your greatest time of need, and knowing what to do after you’ve had an accident at work is crucial not only with regards to your compensation but also to your health.
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