Facing a serious injury is a difficult and unpleasant situation no matter what. However, when it happens at your place of employment, or due to your work, it can be a whole other ballgame. Workplace injuries are hard to manoeuvre – you might not be sure of who is at fault, what your rights are or how to handle the situation.
Here are a few key things you need to know straight after the injury.
Call a Lawyer
A person can get severely injured at the workplace due to the employer’s negligence in providing safety. Therefore, a lawyer can help you get your dues as per state and federal laws; click here for more information. They are the ones that are aware of how the legal system works and how to get you the deserving compensation, both economic and non-economic.
No matter how the injury happened, or what you think you need to do, it’s always best to get in touch with a lawyer straight away. Having a professional on your side will help you to navigate the ins and outs of the process that lies ahead of you – and it might be a tricky one, depending on your circumstances. A good lawyer will talk you through your rights, who is at fault in your personal instance, what claims they suggest you make and what moves to make going forward. Legal practices, especially when it comes to your employment, are sensitive circumstances to handle. Having someone who knows the lay of the land will help to ensure you don’t make any mistakes that could cause you further damage.
Your Rights
Typically, if your injury occurred at your place of work, while you were on the job, while you were travelling for work purposes or because of the nature of your work, you should be able to claim for your damages. A serious workplace injury could lead to unexpected and enormous medical bills, as well as potentially put you out of work and an income for a period of time. These are damages that you should be able to claim from your employer – but it’s in your best interests to confirm the details with your lawyer before speaking to anyone at work about it.
Your Responsibilities
It’s your own responsibility, and in your best interests, to make sure that you seek medical treatment for any injuries with immediate effect. Neglecting to get yourself checked out right after your injury could negatively impact any legal cases that you might open – as this could show negligence on your part. Furthermore, it’s important for your case and for your own health that you strictly adhere to any treatments or procedures prescribed or recommended by your doctor. It’s also on you to make sure you get some kind of evidence of your injury – some photographs and speaking to witnesses will be helpful in this regard. The more information you have on what your injury was and how it occurred, will help you out in your case to prove that your employer was indeed at fault.
Final Thoughts
Although suffering an injury can be a stressful and traumatic time for some, it’s important to keep your head on straight when dealing with legal matters. Keeping cool and minding what you say will only be positive for your case, as well as your relationship with your employer going forward.
