When an employee gets injured while on office premises, a sequence of procedures need to be pursued immediately. When you are confronted with an unpleasant situation of this kind, in order for you to turn the event in your best interest, knowing what actions are demanded to be taken can be essential. As you probably know, being injured while at work will give you access to a said financial compensation and may also allow you to take a leap of absence, if the incident has left you unable to perform your work duties as re duties as regular. Responding effectively to your injury, especially during the first 24 hours after it has occurred, will ensure the best outcomes to your case. Here are the steps you shouldn’t skip in order to deal with your situation in an appropriate manner:
Seek emergency treatment
If the injury was a serious one, you will of course need to seek immediate treatment, in order for no further problems to arise. Call 911 or ask someone who is nearby to do that for you. Pursuing a medical checkup will be necessary even if you are able to get up on your feet on your own, because the proof of receiving medical treatment might be required when you are filing for compensation. Make sure you request your healthcare provider with a copy of your injury records, because you will need them further on. If the factor that has led to the incident may cause risks to others in your proximity, remove all safety hazards.
Report the accident
Your employer should be informed on the situation in the shortest time possible. Because personal injury frauds happen so often, a regular employer might not want to collaborate for further proceedings if you have not provided them with an immediate update on your situation, especially if they are no witnesses who can back up your accident story. When you are faced with an injury on office ground, make sure to report the situation as soon as you are able to. The employer will also need to write a file regarding the accident, which will be later presented to the insurance company the business works with.
Find yourself a solicitor
While the employer might have your best interest, and might help you with the support you need, often, dealing with the insurance company could demand more resources from your part. Its’ common for insurance companies to try to reach a settlement that falls in their favor, and leaves you with a far lower amount than you should actually get. A solicitor can help you obtain the results you desire, without further inconveniences, and could also advise you when taking the case to court would be a viable solution. A professional with experience and expertise on the matter will know how to approach the insurance company, and what procedures to follow in order for your compensation to cover your expenses and troubles. However, for your collaboration to be productive, you should research the person you are planning on hiring, with a main focus on the following aspects:
- Fees – because you will have to pay the solicitor for their legal help, start by finding out more about their billing system. Although a good professional will not be cheap to hire, one that is reliable and trustworthy will only work under a no win no fee policy. So narrow your choices down to no win no fee solicitors.
- Experience and specialization – find out if the expert has handled cases just like yours in the past. While they might have the qualification necessary to provide these type of services, if they are not specialized in this department, and lack sufficient experience, they might not exactly master the entire legal process following.
- Communication – it’s important to find someone you feel comfortable talking to and working with. If the said individual doesn’t seem friendly and doesn’t take the time to explain things to you in a way you actually understand, perhaps you should just go another way. Facilitating good communication can be more important than you think, so see what kind of impression they leave on you during the initial consultation.
Discuss with your employer regarding further injury implications
Because the accident might has left you unable to work for a certain period of time, it’s imperative to discuss with your superior regarding your status within the company. After presenting a written notice to your supervisor, as well as contacting a solicitor and filing in a personal injury application to the insurance company, you will need to talk about your future leap of absence. The employer is obligated to provide you with sufficient days off, until you completely recover, while still offering you the regular paycheck. You should also be welcomed back to your job as soon as you are able to work again. For lack of cooperation on the matter, you can always press legal charges, so if you ace any inconveniences in this department, discuss with your solicitor about the best means of actions.
Follow-up medical check-ups
Make sure you visit your physician or the health specialist that can provide you with the treatment you require. A single treatment and check-up might not be enough to get your health back in check and your employer might also demand from your part proof of medical visitations. Arrange regular visits to a medical facility and make sure you actually undergo the necessary treatment procedures for your full recovery.
Work injury cases can be rather complex in various situations, so knowing which steps you should take on the matter, in order to handle the scenario in the best way possible can make a significant difference. Make sure you are compensated and treated the way you are entitled to by keeping these tips in mind. And remember that having an experienced expert help you go through demanded proceedings, someone who knows the ins and outs of the regulations regarding personal injuries, can be essential, so make sure you hire the right person for the job.