In the blink of an eye, a workplace accident can change your life. It could render you temporarily unfit for the workplace or – worse – permanently injured.
While no one wants to be the unwitting victim of a workplace accident, if you find yourself in this position here are four tips to make the most of your work injury claim.
Know your rights
Should you be involved in an accident, it’s important to know your rights and take action as quickly as possible. Many workplace claims have a time period in which they can be filed and proper authorities need to be notified when an incident occurs.
In the workplace, that usually involves notifying the nominated workplace health and safety officer, logging your accident with the workplace register of injuries, and, if making a claim, informing the relevant workers’ safety body.
Document everything
From the moment an incident occurs everything should be written down. As the victim, you should write down your recollection of the events leading up to your accident and exactly how it occurred. This may be needed later in court to support any claim.
You should also keep copies of your medical records and any treatment or expenses incurred in relation to your injury. In addition, it’s a good idea to keep a written record of all communication with your employer.
Engage a good lawyer
If you decide to pursue a claim for damages against your employer, engage a good lawyer. Companies such as The Personal Injury Lawyers offer a no win, no fee service where they will look into your case and see if it’s worth pursuing and, if so, how much you may be entitled to.
Although most workplace claims are settled out of court, it pays to have experienced legal representation on your side.
Fight for your entitlement
Your employer has an obligation to ensure your workplace is safe, and you have the right to claim damages if they breached their duty of care. As part of the negotiations, their insurer may make you a financial offer, but check with your lawyer to be confident you have got what you may be entitled to, and, if not, take the process further.
Takeaway
By law, every employer has insurance against workplace injury, and a duty of care to their employees to ensure they return home safely each night. If you feel you have suffered injury and loss as a result of an accident in the workplace that was beyond your control, it is in your interests to make sure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.