ExecutiveChronicles.com | Being injured at work can range from being an inconvenience to being absolutely devastating. It can range from tripping over a wire and twisting your foot to having machinery fall on you and put you in a wheelchair – or worse.
From everyday accidents, to negligence, being injured at work can mean a variety of different things. If you require first aid, however, and need to either go to a doctor or to an emergency room, then you need to be very careful with how you proceed. Skipping steps can mean you suffer from a lifelong disability, just as much as it could mean not having the compensation you are owed to cover your treatments.
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Get Immediate First Aid
Every workplace should have a first aid kit and ideally someone who has trained in basic first aid. If not, then common sense will have to do. If you have been cut, put pressure on it. If you have been impaled, wrap cloth around the injury and seek out immediate emergency care. Don’t pull the object out. Pulling it out could result in more blood loss. Leave that step to the medics.
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If Necessary, Go to the Hospital
If the injury is moderate or severe, go to the emergency room at the closest hospital. A second degree burn, a serious cut, and extreme undisclosed pain are all great reasons. If you have twisted your ankle or have suffered from something falling on you, but nothing broke, then it is best to wait to visit a doctor.
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Otherwise, Visit a Pre-Approved Doctor
It is important to know in advance whether you can go to any doctor, or need to visit a doctor chosen by either your employer or the workers’ compensation board.
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Hire a Lawyer
Employers are legally obligated to have worker’s compensation. What this means when claiming compensation, however, is that in most cases you won’t be securing money from your employer (unless you have grounds to file a suit for criminal negligence). That is why you need to know when to hire a workers comp lawyer. By hiring one as soon as possible, they can work on your behalf throughout the claims process, and even fight on your behalf when it comes to negotiating a fair sum from the insurance company.
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Inform Your Employer
You are legally obligated to inform your employer of the incident in formal writing. Your lawyer can do this for you if you haven’t already.
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Focus on Healing
Once you have a compensation lawyer on your case and your employer has been informed, it is time to instead focus on recovering. This should initially mean improving your diet so that your body has all the necessary vitamins and minerals it needs to heal.
Being seriously injured at work is not your fault, and that is why worker’s compensation and workers’ rights exist. Use your rights to secure the compensation you need to get the best treatments so that you are up and on your feet in no time.
