Things to do if You’re Involved in an Accident at Work

Regardless of your profession, regardless of your job responsibilities, nothing changes the fact that you could be injured on the job at some point.

Although you don’t want to think about this possibility, it’s a good idea to understand the things you can do to prevent an accident. Taking this one step further, you should also know what to do in the event that you are injured.

Being involved in an accident at work can be scary. Not only can the injury itself change your life, but it could have an impact on your ability to earn money in the future.

Here are several things you should do if you are injured in a workplace accident:

1. Care for Yourself

Although there are other steps you need to take, your health always comes first. Depending on the type of injury, you may need to call an ambulance for immediate medical assistance.

In the event that you are seriously injured and unable to call for help, have a coworker do so on your behalf.

Note: it’s better to be safe than sorry. So, even if you don’t think you need medical attention, you should still get checked out without delay.

2. Report the Injury

It’s imperative to report the injury to your supervisor or HR department right away. This goes a long way in ensuring that the company knows the accident happened during work hours.

If you neglect to report the injury, your employer could argue that you suffered the accident away from work. As a result, it will make it more difficult to obtain workers’ compensation benefits in the future.

3. See a Doctor

As noted above, this is extremely important. It’s easy to believe that your injuries are not serious and that you can handle treatment on your own. And while this may end up being true it’s not a risk you want to take.

When you see a doctor, you can get a clear idea of what you’re facing and how to treat your injuries in the future.

All of the steps above are meant to ensure that you receive the proper medical attention without delay.

Once you are stable and have the ability to look forward, it’s time to learn more about your legal rights.

For example, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. This allows you to receive benefits until you are able to return to work. For some, this money allows them to get by for the time being.

Furthermore, there may come a point when you realize that you can file a lawsuit in an attempt to receive compensation from a negligent party. Since you may not understand your rights, it’s best to consult with an attorney without delay.

On our website, for example, we discuss the many dangers associated with a slip and fall accident:

“Many people believe that injures are minor within these type of accidents. But that is not always the case, in fact, an injury may show up some time after the time of the accident due to the injury being difficult to detect. You could be seriously injured in this type of accident, depending on the location, the extent of the fall, and your current level of health.”

There is no way of knowing what will happen if you are involved in a workplace accident. There are times when injuries are minor and you are not required to miss any work. Conversely, there are situations in which workers find that they are unable to return to their job for many months.

If you find yourself involved in an accident at work, don’t forget to take the necessary steps.

Although you may feel alone, although you may feel that you don’t have any options, there are several ways that you can receive compensation for an injury related to a workplace accident.

If you need any assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our law firm. We are available to answer your questions and provide you with the guidance you need.

You are sure to have a lot on your mind, but we’ll make sure you are comfortable with where things stand and what you need to do in the days, weeks, and months to come.

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Stephanie Thompson, Estate Planning Attorney of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC

As the owner of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC, it is Stephanie’s mission to address each client’s goals for their estate plan. By identifying their wishes and concerns she can educate, guide, and counsel on the different tools and options that will effectively and efficiently accomplish those goals.

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