If you had an accident on the job, you might be feeling overwhelmed by how to handle the situation. From legal issues to pain and recovery, there’s a lot to consider in these circumstances.
It’s important to remain calm throughout the process and do your best to handle the most important matters as soon as you possibly can. Here are the biggest tasks you’ll need to take care of as soon as the incident occurs and in the days following it.
Find an Attorney
First of all, it’s vital that you’re in contact with a good personal injury lawyer who can assist you with any claims you’ll be making for compensation. You can find an attorney on this website or by asking for recommendations from those you trust.
It’s a good idea to get this consultation done before filing any claims or even making any reports, because an attorney will be able to assist you in how to handle the situation from start to finish. An initial consultation is usually affordable or free and you’ll know from the beginning what benefits you might be able to get.
File a Report for the Accident
Next, you’ll need to ensure that the accident is reported. This should be done soon after it occurs in order to ensure that you will be covered under your state’s worker’s compensation laws.
Filing an accident report is not only important for your own case and potential injuries but for your employer or workplace to be able to identify pitfalls in their safety procedures and help to prevent further accidents and injuries. On top of this, reporting the accident will help to ensure that you’re covered and compensated even if you have pain or symptoms that develop a little later.
Understand Your Rights
When filing for claims on a workplace injury, you need to have a pretty clear understanding of what your rights are in general and in relation to your exact incident. This includes knowing when you are and are not covered.
For example, accidents that occur when a worker is under the influence of alcohol will not be covered by worker’s compensation laws and you will most likely not be able to file for compensation.
You also typically will not be able to sue your employer for a workplace injury and will be limited to claiming compensation under the company’s insurance.
See a Medical Professional
After your accident, you are definitely obligated to consult a medical professional – even if you don’t have any serious injuries or symptoms directly after the incident. A doctor will need to assess you, both for the sake of your compensation claim but as well as for your own health and safety.
Make sure your doctor is aware of how the accident occurred and any potential issues that may arise due to injury or even the inhaling or ingesting of any chemicals.
Keep in mind that in order to claim, you might need to visit a doctor specified by your employer, so be sure to check beforehand to avoid costing yourself unnecessarily.
Report Injuries to Your Employer
Even if you already reported the accident itself, you’ll need to check back in with your employer to report the results from your medical check-up. In order to put in a claim, your employer will need to know about your injuries and how severe they are.
If new related pains or symptoms appear a few days (or even weeks) after the accident, you should have these checked and reported to your boss too. Follow up to ensure that a compensation claim has been filed and that the process is underway for you to be compensated.
Adhere to Medical Advice
If you are prescribed medical treatment, it’s in your best interests to listen to your doctor’s advice and adhere to any medications, rehabilitation or bed rest they have prescribed or recommended to you.
This will help you to have a comfortable and speedy recovery from any injuries and get you back on the job as soon as possible.
See a Mental Healthcare Professional
Of course, a big accident at work and a serious injury can result in more than just physical pain. If you’re struggling to cope mentally with what has happened and any personal losses you’ve had as a result of your injury, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional.
Therapy can be an important and beneficial part of the recovery process and will help you to handle every aspect of the incident.
