Have You Been Injured At Work? Here’s What To Do Next
Accidents happen. But what happens when you’ve been injured in an accident, which wasn’t your fault? If you’ve sustained injuries at work, here’s what to do next.
Seek medical assistance
Your health should always be your priority. If you’ve slipped or fallen, or you’ve suffered burn injuries, it’s essential to get checked out. Even if you feel fine, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Sometimes, the most innocuous incidents can actually be the most serious. The most common types of work accidents include slips, trips and falls and falls from height. Accidents caused by moving vehicles and machinery are also fairly common. The injuries that result from these incidents can be varied. You may escape with cuts and grazes. Or you might end up with severe, even life-threatening injuries.
Report the incident
Every employer should keep a record of accidents in the workplace. When you’ve had an accident, make sure you inform the person in charge. Details of the incident should be documented. Recording accidents enables employers to identify trends and make health and safety improvements.
Write down what happened
Once you’ve reported the accident, make sure you jot down exactly what happened. It’s important that you do this while the incident is still fresh in your mind. Include as much detail as possible. Where were you? What time was it? What were you doing? What happened? Who else was there? What was the outcome?
Ask eyewitnesses for their contact details
If there were other people around you when the accident occurred, ask them to provide you with their contact details. Eyewitness statements can be used to support your version of events if you choose to take action against your employer.
Seek legal advice
If you were injured as a result of somebody else’s negligence, you have a right to claim compensation. If you can prove that you were not at fault, seek legal advice. It is possible to make a claim without legal help. But the process can be lengthy and confusing if you don’t have legal expertise. Workplace accident lawyers have experience in handling work injury claims, and they will take care of your claim for you. If you seek the assistance of a law firm, personal injury lawyers will build and present your case for you. This means that you don’t have to attend a series of consultations or negotiations. You also don’t have to worry about reading through reams of papers or deciphering jargon.
In many cases, employees who claim work injury compensation don’t have to attend court. However, there is a chance that the case may go to court if an agreement cannot be reached. Some employers will assume liability straight away. Others may refuse to take the blame, which makes the process longer.
If you’ve been injured at work, it’s essential to be aware of your rights. Get your injuries checked out first, and then report the accident to your employer. If you want to claim compensation for your injuries, it’s best to consult a legal firm with expertise in work accident claims. Getting help can prevent additional stress and increase your chances of making a successful claim.
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