Accidents at work can happen at any time of day. If you fall victim to that, it can be problematic and antagonizing. You will not only be concerned about your injury, which may include a sprain, laceration, contact with hazardous chemicals, and so on, but you will also need to consider where to get help and what information you need to gather.
You might not know it, but the state law requires employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage to their subordinates, including accidents. However, being informed is different from taking action. You still need to secure a legal advisor like Mitchell Law to help obtain the compensation you deserve and protect your rights.
Steps to follow when you get injured at work
Having an accident at the workplace might be distressing. Still, it is your responsibility not to forget to follow correct procedures to avoid employers taking advantage of you and getting the workers’ compensation that you need. To guide you, here are some essential measures you need to enact.
Quickly call for first-aid
If you’re injured, the first thing you need to do is get help. Have a first-aid officer attend to you or if they’re not available, let someone assist you and go to the clinic to get the treatment needed for your injury. Don’t try to ignore your injuries or self-medicate as it may make your condition worse.
Block the scene
The place where you had an accident might have remaining debris or harmful objects that could pose a danger to other employees. Additionally, you might find some evidence in the scene that will help you, and therefore, other employees should avoid going there in the meantime.
File an accident report
Inform your employer even if it’s minor injuries. The best course of action is to complete an accident book or report detailing the circumstances of the incident and the resulting injury and provide this to your employer. If you had an accident, but you don’t know if you’re injured or not, it is still imperative to make a report about that. If there are witnesses, you should speak to them and ask if they have evidence, including photos and videos, that would prove the incident.
Gather as much information as possible about what happened. Also, medical proof of the injury through a GP will be helpful in ensuring you’ll get compensated.
Communicate to your employer
Some state laws require workers to submit an accident report quickly after it happened to have them covered under workers’ compensation. Therefore, you should communicate with your employer as soon as possible. They are the ones who will file a compensation claim to the insurers on your behalf, but they can’t do it if they didn’t know that you had an accident in the first place.
Some employers and insurers dispute the accident when you claim compensation if you don’t report it right away, so it is best to avoid all that hassle and take necessary measures.
Also, when accidents happen, it’s normal for employers to care about their interests first and foremost. Sadly, most employers would choose to get away without having to pay for medical bills and salaries. But, you can be protected when you choose to lawyer up.
Know about the workers’ compensation
Be aware that state law requires most employers to provide workers’ compensation benefits. However, as an employee, you can’t sue your employer over workplace accidents. On the other hand, you don’t need to prove that the employer’s negligence caused the accident, for you can still receive compensation despite it.
If the employer filed for compensation, ensure that you would do regular follow-ups because there are times that they won’t make it a priority and forget it instead. Moreover, ask them for a copy of the compensation claim for assurance purposes.
In other cases, drugs and alcohol are different. If you are proven to be intoxicated at the time of your accident, you could lose the compensation benefits and have your employer submit you for drug testing.
A common misconception is that all claims must go through a workers’ compensation board or panel of experts; however, you don’t have to agree with what your employer says and can always seek legal advice on whether an injury at work can be classified as an accident.
See a compensation lawyer
There are times that employers become unreasonable and would take advantage of your rights as an employee. Even before filing a claim, it is best to consult an expert compensation lawyer who would defend you and ensure you’d get the compensation you need in the end.
A worker’s compensation lawyer will be able to fill out any necessary paperwork for you, advise you on what benefits are available under laws, and will ensure that you get the help you need.
If you suffer from chronic pain, for example, and can’t face going back to do the job that caused it, then you will need help finding other employment. A workers compensation lawyer will be able to help you find new employment and negotiate with your old company to ensure that they give you a good recommendation.
Takeaway
A workplace should be a safe place for employees. Employers must take charge of handling work injuries to ensure the employees’ well-being. But sometimes, when accidents happen, other unfortunate circumstances could take place. Abuse of rights and ripping out your benefits are some of the things you would want to avoid. If you don’t take charge of them and call for an attorney’s guidance, you might get into situations worse than your accident.
If you want to find a workers compensation lawyer in your area and learn about all of your rights and options under worker’s compensation law, all you have to do is search online. There are many websites and resources available specifically for helping people find the help they need with these cases; it is important to take advantage of them so that you can understand your rights and ensure you get all of the benefits that you deserve.
