Regardless of how safe your workplace is, there is always the possibility of an injury occurring. Workplace accidents can happen to anyone, whether in an office or on a construction site. The key to proper recovery and getting the compensation you deserve is following a few critical steps. The Workplace Compensation Board has outlined a specific process to be followed following a workplace accident.
While you may want to eventually get advice from a personal injury attorney like Boland Romaine, you must first take care of a few things. After an accident in the workplace, here are a few steps you need to take immediately.
Assess Your Injuries
Identifying a medical emergency is the first thing you should do following a workplace accident. If you identify the problem as soon as possible, you will be able to prevent the most serious complications from occurring. You should first determine the type and severity of the injury. Before taking action, have a first aid-trained staff member assess the damage. It is always essential to put your health first before anything else.
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Get Medical Help
Some workplace accidents can be life-threatening, while most will only cause a loss of productivity. Getting immediate medical attention will assist the injured party in determining when the injury occurred.
Injury to the back and muscles are the most common result of workplace accidents. The accident victim will need medical attention even though these are not emergencies. Medical attention is of the utmost importance to ensure the victim’s safety. As a result, it is also vital in building a legal case when a victim plans to sue. A record of your injury is important if you intend to claim damages or compensation for workplace injuries, you must keep a record of them.
Additionally, it’s important to remember that some workplace injuries may not be as evident as others. While you may feel fine after a slip-and-fall accident, you may have internal bleeding or a head injury of which you are unaware. Your doctor or emergency medical staff will help you determine the extent of your injuries.
Document the Incident
Documenting every detail of the accident scene after dealing with medical emergencies is essential. Taking pictures of the scene and any potential hazards, such as wet floors, is essential to building your case. If there are any witnesses, try to get in touch with them. The insurance company or the court may ask you to call witnesses to prove your case.
Report the Accident
To avoid legal hassles in the future, ensure you keep all workplace accident report forms on hand at all times. Hand over the documents to the doctor who first attended to the person after an accident. Using these forms, the doctor can determine if the patient can return to work.
Contact an Attorney
The main priority should be your physical recovery if a workplace accident has occurred. Talk to an attorney specializing in personal injury cases to advise you on your legal options.
Getting injured at work affects both your physical and mental health. Follow these steps immediately following your workplace injury to protect your rights.