Getting injured at work is an unfortunate predicament that one hopes to never encounter. However, accidents happen and it is important to know the steps that you can take when faced with one. Observing the following steps can lead to the best possible outcome. Here are steps to what you should do if you get injured at work.
Table of Contents
1. Take Pictures
If you have sustained a serious personal injury and you can still take pictures of the scene of the accident, you are advised to do so. These pictures will be record and stored by your personal injury lawyer to be used later as evidences. Taking pictures also help you explain the accident and dynamics leading up to it, without having to rely on memory which can be a subjective narrative.
2. File A Work Report
Workspaces have different procedures when it comes to filing a work-related injury. Upon induction at your workplace, you should be acquainted with the stipulated procedures regarding a workplace injury. The point of the process is to have the accidents recorded in a form of a report. The information required in the report may include witnesses, equipment involved in the accident, and a description of the workplace and visible injuries. This report can only be filed immediately after the accident if you are physically able to. If you were not able to due to the injuries, you can always do so after being attended to medically.
3. Seek Medical Attention
Get medical attention as soon as possible after suffering injuries at work. Your doctor will carry out a medical examination to determine the extent of the damage, as well as to clear you from any other injuries that may not be visible on the surface. Your doctor will also record the injuries in a file, which will later be needed as evidence when filing a lawsuit. This information is required to prove that the injury is a direct result of the workplace injury and was not a pre-existing condition.
4. Hire an Attorney
Once your health has been assessed and medically cleared, you can hire a personal injury attorney. This legal expert can guide you in filing a claim that can get you compensated for the injuries sustained at work. This is where you present evidences such as the photographs you would have taken of the accident scene, the filed work report, and the doctor’s report and injury review. Your lawyer can then guide you through the next steps in filing for a compensation.
Hiring a lawyer increases your chances of getting compensated, as compared to using your discretion. A lawyer is well acquainted with the requirements needed to file for a lawsuit, such as records, photographs and other documents that can be used as evidences, and deadlines for these articles. Left to your discretion, you may lose your case because of miscommunication and lack of experience regarding such lawsuits.
You should also keep in mind that your place of work has its own lawyer. Filing a lawsuit without your own lawyer means going up against a legal expert, thereby reducing your chances of winning.
5. Go Back to Work
Once you have recovered from your injuries, you should go back to work. Filing a personal injury lawsuit does not necessarily mean you are exempt from working or that you must wait for the case to finish to be able to work again. You must still report to work while the case runs its course. You are required to attend and participate in any scheduled hearings until a verdict is reached. Hiring a lawyer allows you to have the confidence of having an expert handle your case while you are working again.
Conclusion
The first thought you should have when you get injured at work, is to take photographs of the accident scene and your injuries. Then immediately file an injury report at your workplace if you are fit enough to. Seeking medical attention is an important as filing a lawsuit as this will allow you to treat your injuries and how serious they are.
Once you have prioritised your health, you can present your case to a personal injury attorney. This attorney will guide you through the legal processes that may get you compensated for your injuries. And while waiting for the case to run its course, you should report for work after you have recovered from your injuries. Do not forget to attend all the hearings and let your attorney handle the case.
