In 2019 the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 2.8 workplace injuries per 100 full-time workers in the United States. This means that over four million Americans suffered a workplace injury in 2019. This is a huge quantity of people getting injured in the workplace. If this has happened to you, read on for straightforward tips on what to do after having such an incident.
What is a Workplace Injury?
A workplace injury is defined as an injury received during gainful employment. This means that if you are at the office, or while on out-of-the-office work-related duties, your injury will be classed as a workplace injury. Illnesses caused by poor workplace environments are also covered.
Most Common Workplace Injuries
There are many different types of workplace injuries. A Peoria personal injury attorney described that the most common workplace injuries are slips, trips, and falls (27 incidents per 10,000 workers); accidents involving equipment or other workplace objects (24 incidents per 10,000 workers); and transportation-related injuries (around seven incidents per 10,000 workers). While these are three of the most common scenarios, there are, of course, many other ways in which workplace injuries can be sustained.
So, what should you do if this has affected you?
1. Look After Yourself
The first thing you should do is tend to your injuries, if safe to do so. Your health is the key here, and most important. You can move on to legal matters once you have ensured you are healthy and well. Some injuries are worse than others, and you may be required to go straight to the hospital. Just ensure you do everything first to look after yourself, then move on to step 2!
2. Report The Incident At Work
Once you are safe and well, it’s time to start the best process to work towards legal action. The first thing to do here is to make sure the incident is reported in the workplace. Your company likely has a system to follow when it comes to incident reporting. There may be an incident report book or a particular member of staff working as a liaison for these sorts of things. Be sure to follow your companies exact methods of incident reporting, and make sure your boss or line manager is aware of the incident.
3. Take Photos And Videos
The key evidence that may be used is photo and video evidence. As soon as you possibly can, make sure you have photos of the scene of the accident. Also, check with your company for any CCTV footage that may be available. The quicker you do this, the better, as things at the scene may move or change, and you want an accurate representation of the situation to make sure you get the right amount of compensation.
4. See Your GP
Once the dust has settled, go, and see your physician. Whether you have already been hospitalized or not, you should get a full check-up and a report from a doctor. This way, any long-lasting or not yet noted injuries can be noted, and you also have a second opinion to confirm any other sustained damages.
5. Seek Help From A Colleague
If you have to have time off from work after your accident, ask a colleague to do some of the things above for you. Especially photos and videos. While you are not at work, your company has the chance to change, move, or hide evidence that could hamper your case. Find a colleague you trust who can gather evidence and also help you keep a line of communication open with your boss.
6. Keep Records Of Everything
Keep receipts, photos, and records of every part of this process. This includes your GP report, any travel expenses, medical bills, and photos. The more details you have, the better placed you are to receive compensation, and all your expenses related to the accident would be claimed.
7. Take Everything To A Personal Injury Lawyer
Take all the evidence collected to a personal injury lawyer. Speak with them about your case and how they will move forward. Most injury lawyers work on a no-win, no-fee basis. Your initial consultation will likely be free, and they will only take money from your winnings or settlement. Personal injury lawyers are specialists in these kinds of cases, so make sure to seek out a great one!
So, there you have seven effective tips and steps to follow if you are injured in the workplace. Remember, after all, your health is most important. Make sure you are looked after properly, and you get all the medical help you need. Then work on getting the compensation you deserve!