Even when companies practice safety workplace precautions and proper measures such as signage and training, accidents can still occur. Being in a workplace accident is a distressing and challenging time. Aside from your injury, there are many things to sort out, such as medical expenses, lost wages or jobs, and ongoing care for your injuries. When an accident happens, you will be lost on what to do. With this article, we aim to help and guide you on your next step after you’ve suffered an accident at work.
Tend On Your Injury First
This is the most important thing to do. Your safety should come first, and getting medical help and treatment as soon as possible is vital. If the accident is severe, call 911 immediately for help. If it is a non-emergent situation, or you are still waiting for the responders, get treated by the company nurse or first aider. No matter how small or minor your injury might look, it would be best if you still went to a hospital for medical examinations. Some injuries can progress as time goes and can turn into lifelong conditions, or even worse – death.
Consult a medical professional and get a full assessment. This may save your life or be a piece of evidence if there’s a company dispute for compensation. Have your emergency number updated and ready, so your company can reach your guardian and next of kin when something grave happens.
Report the Injury
After tending to your injury, it is also critical to report the accident right away to the management. Most of the states’ laws have a 10 to 90 days window. After this specific time mentioned, the claim or report would no longer be valid. Moreover, not reporting the accident can result in a dispute over the occurrence of the accident. On your report, make sure to state that you were hurt on the job. Your employer will then file for a worker’s compensation claim on your behalf.
Don’t be reluctant in reporting for a workplace injury, may it be mild or severe. Some injuries can get worse later and affect your life. If you get better after reporting, the report will just be a record, and the case will be close. It will just be a precautionary step just if something grave will happen and there are severe effects of the accidents on you.
Collect Evidence
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 58,000 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in Arizona alone. With the high amount of people who are hurt on the job in Arizona, the state has created good compensation benefits for accident victims. However, you need to be eligible to obtain them. For this reason, you need to keep records of reports, police reports, expenses, and losses.
Try to obtain as much evidence as possible such as photos, videos, CCTV, and witnesses’ statements. This will help you make a strong compensation claim. Organize and keep them, so you can submit them to authorities or legal in charge when the time comes.
Ask For Legal Help
Lastly, it would be best to ask for legal help and seek a lawyer to help you throughout the process. Things can get complicated and stressful, and lawyers are the ones who can help you obtain a compensation claim or seek justice for what happened to you. Here are some of the benefits and advantages of seeking the services of a lawyer.
Legal Advice
A lawyer can provide you legal advice and give you clearer objectives. They are experienced and expert with this type of issue, so they will be able to tackle the issue head-on.
Negotiation Skill
Another benefit that you can get from a lawyer is their negotiation skill, and they are the best in determining and evaluating your stand on the claim. And as much as possible, they will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Faster Actions
Acquiring a lawyer means speeding up things on your side. Without a legal representative, you have to wait and do things on your own. This will take time, and it is better to have someone on your behalf to do these things for you.
Better Decisions
When your mind is clouded, you can make hasty decisions that you will regret in the end. A seasoned lawyer will know the next course of action. They will guide you with this stressful journey you are undergoing.
If you have been involved in an accident while working, remember the necessary steps that you can do. Being knowledgeable and prepared will be the key when it comes to the success of your case. As the famous Finnish proverb goes, “an accident will not arrive with a bell on its neck” but the next step will be the crucial one.
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