Workplace accidents are more common than we may want to admit and often workers are not well aware of the right steps to take in such situations. Most of them end up being unaware of the compensation claims that they are eligible for.
Injured At Work
It is quite significant that, as an employee, you proceed to claim appropriate compensation for the medical bills or lost salary due to the inability to work because of the injury. However, if you are someone who is unsure of the right steps to take in case of a workplace injury or accident. Read further as we are going to share all the steps and aspects that could be significant to you in this scenario.
Speak Up!
This is the first step and it is extremely crucial to the whole process. Without any delay or hesitation, you must inform your employer about the injury that you have suffered at the workplace.
You may be wondering why this is the most important step in the whole process. Unfortunately, the insurance companies and your employer may attempt to deny your compensation claims if you have delayed reporting the incident. So, even if you are unsure of all the other steps. Always remember to report the incident as soon as it happens because it is your right to do so.
Be Smart and Inform Your Doctor
Yes, it is a smart step to let a medical care provider know about all the details of the injury and the very fact that it is a workplace injury.
You may ask or request your doctor to make a record of this statement in the medical notes. All the details from your first visit to the health care facility would be required in the processing of your compensation claim.
The steps or finer details related to this process may be overwhelming to some individuals and for this reason. You may consider consulting a lawyer specialized in these claims.
Consulting a lawyer from your state is the most helpful scenario as they’d know state law best. If you have been working in New Jersey and have suffered a workplace injury, you may want to consult a New Jersey personal injury lawyer; it would save a lot of time and effort that you may have to personally invest otherwise.
Your lawyer will most likely recommend that you keep your medical notes and your preliminary incident report quite similar. The insurance company or your employer would need the medical records to corroborate your primary report about this injury, so you cannot miss it at any cost.
Leave a Paper Trail
Employees often ignore this step because they do not fully understand the importance of leaving a paper trail in professional settings. You have to formally notify your employer by giving written notice, including all the pertinent details related to the claimed incident.
These details and a brief description of the injury must be submitted as early as possible after the injury. If you are unaware of this or are feeling overwhelmed, seek legal consultation without further delay. Your lawyer can then handle all the required steps in a seamless manner while you can focus on recovering from the injury.
Keep a Record of Everything
All the expenses that a person bears right after a workplace incident must be recorded. It’s advisable that you keep a diary solely dedicated to this and note down all the expenses related to health, travel costs, and all the working days that you missed because of the injury. It is quite possible that your State has specific laws to give you further compensation for missed salary because of a workplace injury.
Apply for Medical Leave
This is your basic right as an employee and you should definitely take advantage of it when you need it. It is not only important from the personal point of view, for your recovery, but also significant from a legal perspective.
In many scenarios, a company may not acknowledge your right to file for compensation against a workplace injury if you seem up and running. In such a scenario, by applying for medical leave on the grounds of a workplace injury. You are in fact pushing your employer to acknowledge your workplace injury and let you avail of your medical leave.
This will give you time to go through the legal process as well as take care of your health and recover properly without taking on any unnecessary stresses.
Your health and well-being are irreplaceable and should not be compromised under any circumstance. Therefore, regardless of the legal aspect of a situation. You must give yourself the attention you deserve before going back to work.