A workplace accident can happen without warning. Workplace stress can be overwhelming even for hardy people, especially if they are not adequately protected, denied rest, or over-burdened otherwise. People have to go through excruciating work routines to make an honest day’s earning, but this routine itself can become a financial burden.
Accidents in the workplace can set people back in many ways, but the financial toll is the one that stings the most especially in such a challenging economy. Suppose you’ve been in one (or maybe you actually have and just Googled this to get an idea of what to do next), how should you react to the situation?
Your actions at this point, even though your situation is not the most ideal, will matter a lot in the long run, especially when you get a workplace accident compensation lawyer to represent you in this case. You need to make things easier for yourself so that when you take matters to the court or decide to settle with the insurance company, you have the upper hand.
Here’s what you need to do when you get involved in a workplace accident:
#1) Don’t Delay Seeking Medical Attention
In most cases, you might have to be rushed to a nearby medical care facility, but even if that is not the case, you need to get diagnosed and treated for your injuries as soon as possible. Any delay here will be used against you when you file your compensation claim.
The insurance adjuster will ask questions like “why did you wait too long to visit the doctor if you were in such agony?”
If you can’t go yourself, ask someone to take you for treatment. In any case, you should not delay your visit to a healthcare provider, even if you’re unsure of how much the treatment will cost you, after all, you will be compensated for the losses later on.
Following this initial checkup and treatment, you may need to visit another healthcare facility, one that satisfied your employer’s needs (for verification of your claims) in the case. Plus, you’ll also have to ask your employer if you are covered by worker’s compensation insurance.
Once at the doctor’s place, tell them everything, i.e. how you got injured, how much does it hurt, where does the injury reside, and so on. The more details you can provide, the better. In the end, your doctor will be better able to diagnose the full extent of your sufferings.
You must keep the medical reports and records with you, documentation is of the essence in such cases.
#2) Notify Your Employer About The Workplace Accident Injuries As Soon As Possible
This is another duty which can’t wait.
Don’t delay telling your employer what happened and how, not even a day or two in hopes that the pain will pass and you’ll feel a bit better. As soon as you can, you must report the whole incident, both verbally and in writing (preferably via email) to your employer.
This way, you’ll have documented evidence of having communicated with your employer about the whole incident, and this will matter a lot in your worker’s compensation claim. You should inform your employer of all the important details, i.e. where, when, and how the accident happened.
The employer might ask you to fill a couple of forms, be sure to read everything carefully and report the details as well as you can. Once that is done, keep the copies of any forms you filled and submitted to your employer, your lawyer will want to see those.
#3) Explore Your Legal Rights For a Workplace Accident
Don’t form an impression about your legal position based on what people tell you. Instead, you need to do some exploring yourself too. Google is your friend here for initial advice, but since all cases are different from one another, you should preferably get a professional lawyer involved.
This way, you’ll know the full picture and won’t be in the dark about what to do and what not to do. Just be sure to not go for a settlement immediately after the accident, instead, explore your rights completely before you choose to accept an offer.
Your lawyer should be the first person you discuss your case with.
Contact A Competent Lawyer To Get Started With The Legal Business
Getting competent and experienced NC workers’ compensation lawyers involved in your case is also important if you wish to safeguard your legal rights and avoid being under-compensated for your losses. It is for this reason that you should not delay calling us for an appointment to discuss your case and get free legal consultation, without any obligations so that you can get compensated fairly.
Call us so that we can get started with bringing your employer to compensate you for your losses!
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