Accidents at the workplace can happen when employees are exposed to slippery floors, poorly maintained staircases, or inadequate lighting. Events like these can impact your productivity, health and safety, or economic well-being. A trip and fall lawyer can help you navigate the legal side of workplace accidents and help you seek justice for your injuries. Here are steps to take if you have been injured at work:
Get Medical Attention
When involved in a workplace accident, you should prioritize your treatment and stability. If first aid staff are present, they should attend to your injury. The initial assessment of potential wounds can help you or your supervisor determine whether you should visit a hospital immediately or a general practitioner after completing your shift.
Seeking medical help initiates the recovery process and creates evidence of your injury that may be useful when seeking compensation. Initial medical bills or those for long-term treatments, such as therapy, are often included in legal documentation of the incident. An employer may also require a full medical evaluation before you can return to work.
Notify Your Employer of the Accident
Follow your organization’s procedure for reporting workplace accidents to your manager or other officials. Employers should be legally required to report to the Health and Safety Executive when employees have had a severe accident at the workplace. Refrain from questioning which of the parties is to be held accountable for the accident. A trip-and-fall lawyer is better equipped to help you handle the liability aspect of your case.
Notifying your employer as soon as possible can enable your employer to address the inherent risks that caused the accident. Reporting the accident to the employer also means you get the right medical treatment and assistance from your employer. Some employers have planned procedures for handling employee injuries, including providing medical care or releasing them from the remainder of a work shift.
Compile Evidence
Try to capture some pictures or a video of the injury and the location of the occurrence. You can write down the names of coworkers who witnessed the event. Your lawyer might want to speak with them in the future to gather additional details or evidence. Documenting the accident scene can help you defend yourself from accusations by your employer.
CCTV is likely installed in your workplace, and security footage may have captured the lead-up to and outcome of your accident. This footage can be helpful when presenting a negligence case, so you should request a copy of what was recorded if possible. Lawyers may advise clients to describe their symptoms and how they interfere with their daily workplace tasks on paper. Your duties at work may be limited until you recover from your injuries.
Consult an Attorney
Speaking to an attorney can help you understand your rights and potential legal recourse. A trip and fall lawyer understands how the worker compensation policy is affected and the laws surrounding employer liability. The knowledge an experienced lawyer can offer can help you avoid making the wrong decision concerning your claim case. Whether your injury at work was due to your employer’s omission in providing adequate training, failure to maintain the job site, or otherwise, you may be able to claim compensation.
Focus on Your Recovery
Employed people who have an injury may feel pressured to return to work immediately to avoid missing meetings, losing income, or as a testament to their character. However, before returning to work, evaluate the seriousness of the injury, develop a healing plan, and discuss your expectations with your doctors. Medical professionals may be able to help you draft a recovery plan that estimates when you can return to work.
Focusing on recovery allows you to treat your injury effectively, eliminating secondary complications. Following the doctor’s advice and adhering to medications can improve your health and speed up your return to normal activities. Outsourcing the legal process to a lawyer allows you to concentrate on your healing journey while getting regular updates on your case.
Partner With a Trip and Fall Lawyer
Hiring a trip and fall lawyer may be the defining action you can take when dealing with a workplace incident. A lawyer can help you find and collect evidence, communicate with your employers, and defend you in a trial. Contact a trip and fall lawyer today to begin discussing the possibility of compensation for your work-related accident.
