Suffering an Injury at Work: If you have been injured at work, you must first understand your legal rights, including how to file a compensation claim. Sometimes, employers fail to fulfil their responsibility of taking care of their employees and eventually get injured at work. The injuries might include everything from illnesses, broken bones, and psychological injuries. Each state has a type of system that helps employees when they get injured at work.
How do you picture an accident at work?
Injuries at work can happen to everyone, but not all can form a base for a successful claim. So, you must be able to prove your injuries and that they’re sustained at work. If employers breach their duty of care, and as a result, you get injured, they could be the ones to blame.
Examples of accidents in the workplace
Not all accidents sustained at work are a result of employer negligence. It means that you may not have followed safety measures in the workplace. Other examples of workplace accidents include:
- Lack of training
- Poor housekeeping
- Insufficient personal protective gear
- Lack of machine maintenance
To learn more about how employer negligence is relevant to your accident at work, contact a personal injury lawyer in the UK.
How to protect your rights if you get injured at work?
The easiest way to protect your rights if you get injured at work is to report the injuries to your manager. Most states will require you to report the damage in an amount of time; basically the same day the incident happened. Depending on the circumstances, it may not always be possible, but it’s essential to do it as soon as possible. The next important step is to file a claim through workers’ compensation. This will allow the court, the insurance company, and the manager to be informed about your injuries. Once you file the claim, protections are put in place.
So, what are your rights?
Your rights can depend from state to state, as injuries can also widely vary. Generally, there are some common legal rights across states, including:
- You have the right to claim compensation for your injuries in workers’ compensation.
- You can see your doctor receive medical treatment.
- If you want to return to work, you have the right to do it, but first, make sure you’re physically and mentally okay.
- If you don’t want to return to work because you’re injured, you have the right to disability compensation.
- If you don’t agree with your employer’s decision, the insurance company, or the compensation received in court; you have the right to appeal that decision.
- You have the legal right to be represented by a lawyer in court.
As an employee, you must understand that you have the right to say “no” to some offers and requests. If you are hurt, and your employer tells you to pay for your treatment, you must definitely say no. If they offer attempts to encourage you against filing a claim; it’s illegal. Just say no and go directly to a law firm to get more information about what to do next.
Laws in each state provide a workers’ compensation claim, so if your employer makes it difficult for you to exercise your rights, the consequences can be quite severe. It’s illegal for your manager to harass you at work, so make sure you fill a worker’s compensation claim if that behavior takes place.
With an injury at the workplace that can cause illnesses, employees can become frustrated. So, if this is your case, you need to look after yourself. If you are thinking about claiming compensation, it’s hard to know how to approach things, so everyone is satisfied. Know your legal rights and your employer’s responsibility; it will help both of you see things clearly and avoid mistakes.
Take adequate time to recover
For people injured at work, the first goal is to return to work. But some injuries make it impossible, as injured workers often return to work just because they need money, or to feel like they have a purpose. Getting compensation is helpful, as this covers your financial and medical costs, but of course, it won’t take the whole place of a full-time salary. Going back to work after your recovery needs to be carefully done. Make sure you are fully recovered from your injuries before making the decision.
It’s important to keep in contact with your manager and inform them about your health progress, especially if you plan to return to your job. Let them know how you feel, and don’t try to fake anything. Keeping your employer informed about your medical progress is essential, as you might avoid going back randomly to work one day. However, make sure you don’t let your employer pressure you to return to work early. Insurance companies will also try to use tricks to reduce your compensation payment. If you feel pressured in any way, contact a lawyer immediately.
Don’t go back to work unless you’re ready!
If your doctor didn’t tell you precisely when you can go back to work, don’t try to find reasons to do it earlier. Returning to work earlier than recommended can significantly affect your recovery and worsen your injuries. Even if you feel better, listen to your doctor. Make sure you can perform your job at your best. Going back to work early can get you into trouble, as it may lead to further frustrations and stop you from recovering properly. Re-injuring yourself is not an option, so ensure you call your doctor to discuss your current health situation and how long it takes before your injuries are fully healed.
If you have suffered a work injury, you don’t have time to waste, and most likely, you don’t have the money to pay for medical bills. So, why not get free legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer?