After a workplace injury, many employees will often be worried about what to do next.
What you need to know is that you have a right to a safe working environment.
Therefore, you are entitled to compensation for lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages.
Let’s take you through what you need to do after a workplace accident to protect your safety and rights.
Reporting the injury
For starters, you need to report the injury to your employer. Employers will often protect employees via an insurance policy known as workers’ compensation.
Depending on the laws, you are supposed to report the incident immediately and start the process of filing a workers’ comp claim.
Tip: Keep in mind that your employer might try to persuade you to use your health insurance to avoid filing a workers’ comp claim. It is illegal, and you have the right to say no to that!
Seeking medical treatment
You also have the right to seek medical treatment after a workplace accident.
You should visit a qualified medical doctor who will examine the extent of the injury and ensure that you receive the right medical attention.
You will get your medical report and advice on whether you need bed rest and later resume work.
A medical report will be useful if there will be a dispute as you seek compensation for a workplace accident. Visiting a doctor will also help assess the extent of injuries suffered and the projected health risks. This will come in handy as you seek compensation.
Tip: Don’t underestimate the injuries sustained given they can grow worse with time.
Working with an experienced lawyer
Filing compensation can get complicated depending on the workplace injuries suffered. Again, your employer should not lure or force you against claiming for this compensation.
If that happens, then it is best to seek help from an experienced lawyer who can help protect your rights. You also have the right to seek compensation if you lost your loved one to a workplace incident that led to death.
For example, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit to help recover medical, funeral expenses, lost income, etc.
As a rule of thumb, you should work with an attorney with a proven track record in personal injury and wrongful death cases caused by workplace incidents.
Suing a third-party for a workplace injury
You can also be injured by accidents caused by a third-party that is not your employer.
In this case, you are allowed to file a claim against the party at fault. For example, third-party claims can occur when a manufacturer may have produced substandard goods through negligence which may have caused the workplace injury.
In this case, seeking third party compensation will help recover the damages caused, including pain and suffering caused by the injury.
Wrap Up
We hope you now know a thing or two about protecting your rights if you are injured at work. Our tips should help you avoid harassments and manipulation from your employer.
It is illegal for your boss to prevent you from pursuing your rights. Your employer will be at risk of a penalty if they make it difficult for you to be compensated. Speak to a personal injury attorney to help you fight for what you deserve!