Injured At Work? 3 Things To Remember When Claiming For Compensation
Have you been injured when on the job? Then you’re entitled to some compensation. No matter the reason, no matter what happened, you could prepare a case and take your employer to court over it.
If you’re interested in doing so, however, it’s best to keep a few things in mind. The process of seeking compensation can often be smooth, but rarely are there absolutely no bumps in the road!
With that in mind, here are three very important things to know before you look into bringing your work situation into the legal sphere.
Check Your State’s Reporting Laws
If you’ve been injured at work, the first thing to do is report the injury. Make sure this is done as soon as possible, and if it hasn’t been reported already, get on the phone to do that now.
Your employer needs to know something has occurred, and needs to have the chance to follow all workplace procedures regarding accidents and emergencies.
However, each state’s reporting timeframe is a bit different. You’ll want to look up your specific laws surrounding how long you have to report a workplace injury, and whether or not you’ve already missed the deadline.
If you have, your case could become a lot more difficult to try and prove.
Don’t Put the Case Together on Your Own
If you’re fighting for compensation, you’re likely to need legal assistance from someone who specializes in workplace claims. Make sure you reach out to a company who has good reviews, and plenty of proven case wins in the past.
You may also need assistance from expert witnesses regarding specific injuries and illnesses that have arisen from the accident.
Someone who was exposed to unsafe levels of noise may require the aid of a hearing loss expert witness as part of their case, or someone who received a head injury from improperly serviced equipment may require a neurosurgeon to speak as part of the proceedings.
If you’re not sure who to get in touch with regarding your own injury case, your legal representation will be able to advise you on whether or not something like this will be necessary.
Your Career Won’t Be Affected
When bringing a compensation claim against an employer, is it possible for them to make it hard for you to get another job in the future? No.
This is something many people worry about during the claims process, and some even give up on it altogether because of this. However, this behavior is actually illegal, and most workplaces won’t tolerate it.
If you’re in the market for a new job and a prospective employer wants to check on references, they will have this law in mind when speaking to any previous employers.
If you’ve been injured while working and want to try and get compensation for it, make sure you’re aware of the factors above. Don’t go at it alone, don’t worry about retaliation, and make sure you’ve abided by all employment laws yourself!