Accidents can happen just about anywhere – including at work. Whether you work in a dangerous industry like construction or in a simple office space, there’s always a chance that you get could injured on the job. While you never know the likelihood of this happening, it’s good to always be prepared, and in this case, the best way to do so is to be aware of the right steps to take. Here are a few guidelines to handle the situation should it ever arise.
Prioritize Your Health and Safety
First of all, no matter what happened or how the incident took place, it’s crucial that you put your physical well-being first. Essentially, this means that before you do anything else, you need to arrange medical care and see to your injuries.
You might need to leave your workspace and head to a doctor ASAP for prompt medical attention and a thorough assessment. Especially if you aren’t sure about the extent of your injury, professional intervention is vital so that you can ensure a full recovery.
Call a Lawyer
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The next thing to do to protect your overall well-being is to get in touch with an attorney, especially if your medical practitioner asserts that the injury is serious and may require long-term recovery.
A qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to guide you through any legal processes you might become involved in, and further assist you in how to approach your employer regarding the incident.
Document the Incident
If possible, try to document the injury while you’re still at the location where it happened, so that you’re easily able to take photographs and jot down details of the incident, location, and your injuries.
If you had to leave immediately for medical attention – that’s okay. Simply write down everything you remember and be sure to collect official documentation on your diagnoses from your health professional to include as evidence. This will not only be important for your report, but for any future legal action.
Report the Injury
You need to inform your employer about your injury as soon as possible. Talking to your lawyer beforehand might be a good idea, too, so that you have a better idea of how to approach it.
If you don’t file a report soon enough, you might run into complications when trying to claim compensation. Make sure that you’re clear and concise in your report, and follow any official procedures your company might have in place.
Understand Worker’s Compensation
Finally, be sure that you understand worker’s compensation and the rights you have in this situation. Your attorney will be able to help you understand what medical benefits and wage replacement you might be entitled to, as well as the procedures you’ll need to follow in order to claim them.
Oftentimes, you will need to fill in various forms and this can often turn into legal action, so make sure you are prepared and working with a legal professional you trust.
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