Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/QBpZGqEMsKg
According to the International Labour Organization, approximately 340 million occupational accidents happen every year around the globe. What’s more, there are around 160 million victims involved in work-related accidents or who suffer from illnesses due to poor work environments.
It almost goes without saying that these numbers are quite worrying and that more focus is needed on ensuring a safe and healthy workplace, regardless of the type of business one has, but also taking into consideration the work type and industry of choice. This means that it is of utmost importance for a construction company to provide its workers with the proper personal protective equipment. In contrast, ergonomic furniture is a must if the entire team works in an office.
There are many ways in which you can make sure the work environment of your current employer adheres to health and safety regulations. From seeing whether protective equipment and updated tools are used to how much they prioritize both the physical and mental health of its employees. Plus, it is crucial they also offer regular training programs and workshops for everyone to remain updated and learn all the health and safety measures as well as what to do in case of an emergency. These will all point out towards an employer who prioritizes these aspects and wishes to ensure corporate health in all its forms.
However, this being said, it is crucial to point out the fact that accidents can still happen, as much as one tries to diminish their risk and eliminate hazards at the workplace with appropriate health and safety measures. In case this happens, and if you are the victim of a workplace accident through no fault of your own, it is of the utmost importance to mention that you are eligible to claim compensation for personal injury. You may wonder what to do and where to start in a situation like this. First of all, knowing you are eligible for workers’ comp is an excellent place to start.
Next, it is essential to follow these steps to ensure that your compensation claim will win.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
The first thing anyone should do when involved in any type of accident is to seek medical attention right away. This applies to work-related injuries as well, certainly.
So, if you find yourself involved in an accident through no fault of your own, you should make sure you get the medical attention needed from professionals. If you are unable to move, you should ask a coworker to assist you. It goes without saying that if the accident is highly severe, calling an ambulance is a must.
An essential and noteworthy mention is to give the needed attention even to non-fatal or seemingly minor injuries. There are cases when a particular accident can cause damage or an injury that is not visible right away. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate any possibilities and ensure your health is properly taken care of.
Report And Record the Accident As Soon As Possible
Because the accident occurred at work, it is crucial to report it as soon as possible. Either to your manager or HR department, it is vital to make a professional note of this to the appointed person or department. Plus, recording it in an accident book is not only necessary, but it may be a requirement for certain companies. This also helps the employer when it comes to providing workers’ comp.
In addition, this can also represent a type of evidence needed for your compensation claim. Together with other documents, such as medical records showing diagnoses and the course of treatment, the accident report can also strengthen your claim. Usually, this contains witness statements and their contact information.
Gather Evidence to Strengthen Your Compensation Claim
As mentioned above, evidence is a much-needed aspect of compensation claim cases, with an accident report recorded with the company being one of them. Apart from this, other things are needed that count as evidence that can support and facilitate your case.
If possible, it would be best if you could take photos or even acquire CCTV footage of the accident taking place. You should at least take pictures of the scene of the accident and the object involved in causing it – if it’s the case – which can all point towards why and how the accident has happened. If you cannot do this due to an affected medical condition, it is recommended that a co-worker does it.
Hire A Professional Personal Injury Lawyer
In addition to the evidence mentioned above, which you should try gathering, witness statements are a vital part of a personal injury compensation claim. A professional personal injury lawyer can help you with this aspect. They are highly trained in acquiring essential information and vital documents. Plus, because they have vast expertise in personal injury cases at the workplace, they know where to look for evidence and how to obtain it.
Hence, you should definitely consider hiring a professional lawyer. Apart from having the legal knowledge and professional skills to support and facilitate this process which can become overwhelming, they can also offer peace of mind. This way, you can focus more on your recovery and getting better. While you do this, they can focus on getting the compensation you deserve so that you can cover all the financial loss as a result of the workplace accident.
Focus On Your Recovery and Follow Your Treatment Rigorously
Getting back on your feet can only be achieved if you focus on your recovery and follow rigorously the treatment your medical provider has given you. Indeed, the more serious the injury is, the more time you need to treat it and recover from it. But even if you have a broken arm or leg due to a fall and slip, you must rest and do what is necessary to recover.
Knowing that a personal injury lawyer can help you with the compensation claim can give you peace of mind. This way, you don’t have to go through more emotional and mental distress than you have already been subject to as an accident victim. Taking care of your mental health is also essential, so you should consider talking with a professional if the trauma has significantly affected you.
Digsmak is a news publisher with over 12 years of reporting experiance; and have published in many industry leading publications and news sites.