Every year, millions of people are injured while they’re at work. No matter how minor the injury may seem, it needs to be reported. When you report an injury you take the first step towards receiving compensation. Here’s what you should do if you are ever involved in an accident at work:
File an Accident Report Immediately
One of the very first things that you need to do after an accident has taken place is to report it. Filing an accident report is key as having one will make your compensation claim more believable.
You might have been quite lucky and only come away with minor injuries, if any at all. However, it is still important that you file an accident report. In doing so, you can encourage your employer to implement some new safety measures if required. New safety measures could potentially help to avoid any future accidents.
Know Your Rights
Different workers in different states will have different rights. However, it is vital that you know exactly what your rights are. In most states, you are required to report your injury within a specific time frame. Knowing how long you have to report your injury can matter. Of course, if you’re badly injured you may be unable to fill in a report right away. Just make sure you file the report as soon as possible.
You should also be aware that you have a right to see a doctor and receive medical treatment. If you are unable to return to work because of your injuries, you could be entitled to disability compensation, say lawyers from The Barnes Firm.
Know Who to Blame
It’s not always clear who is to blame for an accident in the workplace. Your employer could be responsible, however, a third-party may actually be at fault. If you think a third-party is to blame, you could seek to make a personal injury claim against them. Speak to a lawyer about the accident as they may have a good idea about who is to blame.
If you’re not sure who is to blame, it’s still important that you make a claim. Your lawyer could uncover who is to blame and how much compensation you deserve. You may not feel like taking your employer to court but it’s important that you do. If you aren’t compensated, you could end up paying for your medical treatment. In addition to this, your co-workers could be at risk of the same accident. Do it for them so they don’t have to go through what you’re going through.
Make a Note of What Happened
Write down everything you can remember about the accident. What happened just before the accident took place? Could the accident have been prevented? Did you sustain any injuries? Writing all of these details down as soon as you can will help. The longer you leave it, the more you’re likely to forget. Note down everything you remember, even if you don’t think it’s relevant. Every little piece of information could potentially help your claim.
As far as your injuries are concerned, you should consider making a note of the treatment you received. How long did the treatment last? Will you need to have more treatment? Do you need to stay in hospital for a long time? Your medical notes will tell you all that you need to know.
Try to get a copy of your medical notes. Your lawyer will be interested in seeing them. Should your case go to court, your medical notes could prove to be priceless.
Take Photographs
If you are able, take photographs of the scene of the accident. Are there any visible hazards? Is there a lack of safety equipment and signage? All of these things could help to make your worker’s compensation claim much more successful. If you can, take a photograph of your injuries. Do this from as many different angles as possible. If your compensation claim ends up in court, having photographs could help your claim.
If you were injured at work and the accident was not your fault, you could be entitled to compensation. You could also find that all of your medical bills are paid for. This alone can be a lot of help. Don’t let your employer get away with having unsafe premises. Take them to court if you need to so that you receive the financial help you deserve.
