It only takes a few moments for a normal workday to turn into something catastrophic. This is especially true concerning the occurrence of an accident at work.
While many accidents are rather innocuous, some can lead to serious injury. In 2022, there were over 4.5 million workplace injuries that required medical attention.
If you don’t take the right course of action, you risk dealing with major consequences that can be impossible to overcome. The good news is the path forward is simpler than it often seems.
We’ve created a brief guide that outlines the key information you should know. Let’s explore the most important details to keep in mind about handling a work-related injury.
Inform the Appropriate Party
As soon as the accident occurs, you’ll need to inform the appropriate party at your job. In many cases, this will be a supervisor or manager.
This will help document key details about the incident, such as when and where it occurred. Assess how the other party responds to your injury, as well.
If they attempt to blame you or discourage you from seeking medical attention, this is a major red flag. It’s not uncommon for companies to downplay the situation out of fear the injured party will take legal action. Ensure you pay attention to their reaction, so you can leverage this information if necessary.
Seek Medical Attention
Under no circumstances should you neglect seeking medical attention if you’re injured on the job. It’s also possible that your injuries aren’t immediately apparent but still require attention.
A common example is internal bleeding, which can cause major health problems if left unchecked. Seeking medical attention will also document your injuries by establishing medical records.
This information is essential for proving how badly you were hurt. Without it, you have no proof of the impact the injury had.
The other party might then claim that you were exaggerating your injuries to pursue compensation. Even though this wouldn’t be true, the judge would likely side with them since you wouldn’t have evidence.
Gather Additional Evidence
The more evidence you compile, the better your chance of successfully obtaining a settlement. Evidence exists in many different forms, such as photographs of your injuries or of the scene where the incident occurred.
You could also use evidence of your interactions with your employer. Imagine a situation where you were injured while using an improperly-secured handrail.
After reporting the incident to HR, you receive an email asking you to avoid reporting the incident to another party until the company completes an internal investigation. After investigating, they concluded you were at fault and attempted to blame you for the incident.
The emails the company sent in this scenario could serve as valuable evidence for your case. Your attorney can help you pinpoint the best course of action for your situation.
File Your Claim
You’ll need to file a workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible. You generally have around 30 days to do so, but waiting until the last minute comes with the risk your claim might not be processed in time. For example, it might take you longer than expected to obtain certain documents before filing.
This could cause you to exceed the 30-day threshold, preventing you from securing workers’ compensation payments. Without this income, many people would be forced to dip into their savings or use credit cards to handle their living expenses.
Hire an Accident Attorney
It’s imperative to hire an attorney before moving forward. This is the only way you can get the results you desire. Look for someone who has a large amount of positive feedback.
There should be no shortage of glowing reviews from previous clients. Do they respond harshly to criticism?
Avoid firms that don’t do well when facing negative reviews. Their pricing structure is another crucial attribute to consider. Some attorneys operate on an hourly basis, while others charge a flat fee.
In some situations, the lawyer could work on contingency. This refers to a scenario where the client pays nothing upfront for the attorney’s services. Instead, the lawyer represents them for free and takes a portion of the winnings as compensation.
If they don’t win the case, the client pays nothing. The amount the attorney takes will vary, and it’s best to shop around.
Do you feel comfortable communicating with them? This is a nuance you can’t overlook, as your success will depend on how well you interact with them. Avoid attorneys who don’t seem enthusiastic about your project.
This is a sign they’ll likely fall short of your goals. Prioritize attorneys who specialize in workers’ compensation. This will help you find someone who understands your case’s fine details.
Their level of industry experience also matters. It’s best to hire an attorney who’s been in this space for at least a decade.
Track Your Expenses
Your compensation will be influenced by your expenses after your workplace accident. You could receive a larger settlement if your medical bills were substantial.
To justify the amount you receive, you’ll need to have an accurate record of expenses. This could also include the money you missed out on due to your injuries.
For example, let’s assume the incident left you unable to work for three months. Your salary was $10,000 per month. That’s $30,000 you weren’t able to earn due to the incident.
Situations like these come with no shortage of issues, such as being unable to pay your bills or support your family. You need to track miscellaneous expenses, as well.
Injuries often adversely impact the victim’s mental health, and it’s not uncommon for those affected to seek therapy. This can be an expensive process if it isn’t fully covered by insurance.
Handle Your Work-Related Injury Promptly
The faster you respond to a work-related injury, the better the odds of you coming out on top. The info in this guide will help ensure you stay on the right track and find the ideal attorney for your circumstances.
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