No one wants to find themselves in a position where they have been injured in the workplace. The loss of earnings, the medical care, the physical pain, and the psychological distress all add up to create a highly unpleasant scenario. Unfortunately, sometimes a workplace injury comes out of nowhere and disrupts your plans. Here’s what you need to know if this happens to you.
Your Wellbeing Matters Most
Your top concern should be making sure that your health is protected. An injury can make the chances of additional physical issues more likely, such as further injury, infection, or exacerbating the existing problem. Seek professional medical advice as soon as possible and have your doctor keep a detailed record of the injury. This will be important if you later choose to seek legal assistance for the incident.
Tell Your Manager
As quickly as you can after the injury, let your manager know what happened and what you believe the cause to be. For example, if you have fallen in the warehouse, tell your manager that it was due to misplaced boxes or a faulty forklift. You should also talk to your coworkers and especially any witnesses to the incident. The more information you can gather from other sources, the better.
Keep a Record of Events and Capture Evidence
Speaking of gathering information, you should keep a record of what happened and take photographs of the scene. This might not be your first priority after having suffered an injury, but having evidence of the possible causes of your injury and notes about your physical state can help you claim compensation at a later date. Your records should be as thorough and accurate as possible. You can also ask your coworkers to help with this if you are no longer able to access the workplace as a result of your injury.
Find Representation
If you believe that you can make a claim against your employer for the negligence that led to your injury, you will need to find appropriate support. Legal representation comes in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to find a firm that can provide the services you need. Horst Shewmaker Lawyers, for example, offer advice and representation to a variety of people, including those who have experienced an injury at work. Supply your representatives with the evidence and any other relevant information about the incident. They will then be able to discuss your next steps.
Take Note of the Financial Impact
If an injury in the workplace has led to you being unable to work at all, you will most likely be suffering the effects of a suddenly reduced income. Even if this isn’t the case for you, there are expenses that rack up after an injury, such as transport to and from medical appointments. Keep track of how your injury has impacted your finances, as this can also be valuable information for any legal claim you intend to make. The key is to have as much information surrounding the incident as possible.
