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Safety will always be a prime concern for all companies and businesses, which is why most invest in time and money to implement a standard set of safety policies and procedures. However, despite any business’s desire to ensure the employees’ safety, accidents do happen.
If you’re an injured employee, you might not know what to do. Furthermore, the business owners might be new to these types of situations and may lack proper guidance.
To avoid any misunderstandings and fully grasp your rights, here are the things you should do and what you might be entitled to receive:
1. Know Your Rights
Before anything untoward happens, it’s best to know your rights regarding workplace injuries. Depending on where you live, you could have more rights generally. To ensure what rights you do have and don’t have, it’s always good to ask local authorities or research your local law.
However, there are rights most states must have in their laws. Here are some of them:
- Right to representation: First, you have a right to be represented by an attorney.
- Right to say no: You have the right to reject illegal offers from your employer; this does not disqualify you from any claims.
- Right to claim Compensation: You’re allowed to ask for a claim through the proper courts due to injury or illness caused by working in the company. Since you’re already hurt because of your work, you don’t need to sacrifice your finances because of a workplace injury.
- Right to appeal: After any hearing or decision made by your employer or the courts, you’re entitled to appeal to the higher courts if you disagree with the result.
- Right to disability compensation: In addition to the compensation for the injury and the illness, if you’re unable to work permanently or even temporarily, you can seek disability compensation in some form.
- Right to return to work: When you have recovered from the illness or injury, you have the right to return to work with the same salary and position.
- Right to medical treatment: No one can stop or prevent you from seeking medical aid for the illness or injury.
2. Obtain Medical Care
As mentioned, you have the right to medical care. Thus, you shouldn’t wait for your employer or supervisor to initiate the call for medical aid.
Since you don’t know the extent of the injury, you should always treat it with caution. As such, you should seek medical attention immediately.
In addition, you don’t have to settle for the employer’s chosen doctors, especially if the physician is not an expert in the field. You must use your right to choose the proper medical care for your injury.
When speaking with your chosen physician, you must inform them directly of the situation. Explain to them that the accident occurred on the job and not on your personal time.
3. Record the Details
Aside from seeking medical attention, you also need to record the details of the accident or report it to your HR. When doing this, it’s essential to be precise and honest with the explanation.
Moreover, write down any numerical details to show the exact actions, time, and date of the incident. You should also include all the details and information the doctor explains to you after treatment, such as the time of recovery and the extent of the injury or illness.
4. Track Missed Work Days and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
It’s understandable when an employer cannot immediately put out the necessary expenses for your treatment during the incident. Since there are company protocols and guidelines to follow, it may take time.
As such, you must take into account every detail and expense you had to make due to the injury. Since you have the right to claim for any expense, you must keep additional records and proof of your missed working days, too.
5. Claim Compensation
Now that you have all the information and details necessary, you can now claim compensation. However, you must be ready to fight as some employers will resist and reject your claims. Thus, it’s always better to contact a lawyer beforehand.
Personal injury lawyers are experienced in handling matters resulting from employer negligence. If you’re looking for representation for your compensation, look specifically for personal injury lawyers.
Conclusion
Some employers are willing to compensate you fully for the injuries and damages caused by workplace related-injuries. However, you must always be ready if it didn’t turn out the way you want it to be.
Thus, it’s to take note of the things above so you can easily claim compensation. If you find it confusing, remember you can always contact a personal injury lawyer to help you.
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