Do you really need an attorney when you get hurt at work? In short, the answer is yes. Most people don’t call an attorney right away when they get hurt. Usually they wait until a problem arises and only then do they call an attorney.
Full Answer
You may receive any or all of these benefits:
If you experience any of the situations described above, a workers’ compensation attorney can:
What To Do After An Accident At Work
Did you know?
The most important thing for employees to know is that any time you are injured on the job, you should report the injury immediately to a supervisor, in writing if possible. Some states require that notice to the employer be made in writing, while others allow a verbal notice.
After an injury or illness occurs, your employer must: Provide a workers' compensation claim form to you within one working day a work-related injury or illness is reported. Return a completed copy of the claim form to you within one working day of receipt.
you have the right to file a claim for your injury or illness in workers compensation court or the state industrial court. you have the right to see a doctor and to pursue medical treatment. if you are released to return to work by your physician, you have the right to return to your job.
While you do have some rights after being injured at work, there is no obligation on any employer to pay a staff member their full standard salary if they are off work due to illness or injury – even if it was caused by an accident at work, or materials used at work.
If the employee is booked off due to an IOD for 4 days or longer, but less than 3 months, the employer must pay the injured employee at a rate of at least 75% of his earnings, from the first day, until the employee returns to work.
You are well within your rights to claim for any injuries sustained at work where your accident was caused by your employer's negligence. That means it is illegal to be dismissed after an accident at work, disciplined, or treated differently because of your compensation claim.
How to Sue Your Employer for Negligence. You must gather as much evidence and proof as possible in order for a negligence claim to be successful. With this said, there are specific steps that must be taken prior to filing your claim which includes trying to resolve the problem directly with your employer.
If you are injured at work it is important to report the incident to your employer as soon as possible. Your employer's initial concern should be to ensure that you are free from immediate danger and to seek medical attention as soon as possible. This could be from a first aider or through calling an ambulance.