No one intends for accidents to occur at workplaces, but unfortunately, they do occur. What matters are the steps taken after the occurrence of the accident. If it is your employer’s fault that you got injured, claiming compensation is essential. In this article, we guide you on how to claim accident compensation at work. Stay tuned!
Report the Accident Immediately
Reporting an accident is usually a good practice, even if you are not ready to claim compensation. But if you have plans of claiming accident compensation, then reporting is mandatory. Are you aware of where to report an accident and how to do it?
Who or where you report the accident depends on your employment status, whether you are self-employed or employed, and where you were working at the time of the accident.
If you are severely injured and unable to make a report, ask someone to do it on your behalf. The essence of getting someone to report on your behalf is because accidents in workplace should be reported almost immediately. If you take time before reporting an accident, some evidence may not be available at that moment.
Other insurance companies where you make claims have a timeline as to when you can report an accident. If you exceed that timeline, the process of even making trips and falls claim may get complex.
See a Doctor
Seeing a doctor as soon as possible is equally important as reporting the accident. This is part of the evidence required in court. Examinations from the doctor also determine the severity of your accident, which translates to the amount of compensation you are likely to get.
Apart from treating your injuries, the doctor may also record the nature and other details of the accident. Insurance claims work with professional doctors when determining the severity of an injury. So make sure you are visiting suitable facilities and not non-recognized clinics.
Another thing to consider before visiting a doctor is whether the company is attached to a given doctor or facility. Some companies have their hospitals or dispensaries where all employees are supposed to get treatment. If you are working in such a company, visit their doctor or dispensary immediately. Seeing a medical facility attached to your company makes the case even more straightforward than you may think.
Make a Personal Injury Claim
If you think that the injuries you sustained during an accident at work are because of your employer’s fault, then making a personal injury claim is necessary. This is the final process after making a report and seeing a doctor. You may need assistance from a solicitor in making the right decisions. Cases concerning personal injury claims are usually challenging.
This is also the point where you check what support your trade union offers if you are a member. You can contact a local representative to help you out with some relevant information.
If you are getting into a court case for the first time, it is essential to seek legal advice from an experienced lawyer. Get in touch with one as soon as the accident occurs to guide you. The attorney may also help you gather relevant evidence to support you. Remember, they have experience in cases and stand a better chance of knowing what evidence is strong.
Final Thoughts
Report an accident at work as fast as possible to avoid complex processes when making a personal injury claim. Or rather, get someone you trust to help you make a report and gather relevant evidence. It is also essential to get a professional and experienced attorney to help you with the case. A lawyer understands all it takes to win a case, so contact someone you think may help.
