Accidents can happen randomly when you least expect them. No matter how hard people try to be careful, they can still get hurt and the injuries can vary in severity, depending on how serious the accident was. When it comes to workplace accidents, many people tend to forget that they have rights, but there’s a system in place that’s specifically established to compensate you for any work-related injuries. If you want to learn more about how you can deal with accidents in the workplace, then read on to understand what you should do if you get hurt while on the job.
Get Immediate Medical Assistance
Every employee who gets injured at work should seek immediate medical assistance. No matter how urgent your deadlines are, you should be rushed to the hospital to get treated as soon as possible. Not only is getting medical attention vital for ensuring your health and wellbeing after the accident, but it’s also important because the medical records serve as proof of your diagnosis and required treatments. This is very helpful, as it can increase your chances of getting a bigger compensation if you choose to file a claim later. Also, your employer will need a copy of these records to carry on with the compensation process for you. Always remember to treat your injuries promptly before your condition gets worse.
Report to Your Employer or Supervisor
You should report to your employer or supervisor to let them know that you got hurt while working. Companies have policies that compensate employees for any work-related injuries and they should be notified if you got hurt. The law in the US helps injured workers who get hurt on the job, but the laws may vary slightly from state to another. As any personal injury lawyer in Roanoke, Virginia will tell you, you should always negotiate with your employer for decent compensation. If they refuse to give you the compensation you deserve or if the insurance company denies your claim, you have the right to file for a lawsuit. You deserve to get reimbursements for your medical bills and be fully compensated for your injuries, so don’t settle for anything less than that.
Hand in the Proper Paperwork
Next, you should start filling official forms and handing in the proper paperwork to your employer to claim workers’ compensation and get your owed reimbursements. Workers’ compensation is one of the most important employee benefits you have and your employer must accept your paperwork and comply with the law. You must fill in the details regarding what happened, the severity of your injury, the timing of the accident, the colleagues that were with you, and the activity you were doing when you got hurt. It would be great if you send in a copy of your medical report too for more proof to get the process started promptly. Remember to keep a copy of these forms to prove that you did send in your paperwork on time if your situation escalated to going to court.
The Appeal
You have the right to file for an appeal if you aren’t happy with the compensation you got. This is also an important step to take if you were denied compensation for any reason. You should discuss this with your attorney and get the legal help you need to win this dispute. The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission will review your appeal and start the negotiation process with your lawyer if you filed it within 20 days of your first deal or claim denial.
Receiving Your Compensation
When you accept the deal and start receiving your due compensation and benefits, you need to understand that you are giving up the right to file for additional lawsuits against your employer. If you didn’t disagree or file for an appeal within 20 days, then you can safely use the reimbursements and disability benefits you received. You can expect to receive benefits for a specific period or the rest of your life, depending on your injuries. Make sure you get the right compensation, whether it’s a partial or total disability benefit.
Even though every employer does their best to keep the working environment safe for their employees, accidents can still happen and some employees can still get hurt. Fortunately, there are several laws and policies in place that can protect workers and employees after work-related accidents. Every company should have assurances and workers’ compensation policies that can take care of employees no matter how severe their injuries are. Hopefully, this guide can help you understand your rights and put you on the right path if you ever get hurt while working.