Accidents in the workplace can be common, and even an office-based operation has many hazards. Employers have a legal responsibility to provide a safe work environment for their employees, but sometimes appropriate measures are not taken, which can lead to workplace injuries. There are all kinds of different injuries that can occur in the workplace, including slips, trips and falls, RSI, accidents resulting from faulty equipment, and auto accidents as a few examples. It is vital that you know what to do if you are ever injured at work so that you can minimize the impact of the injury and protect your rights. Here are a few of the main steps to take.
Get To Safety & Seek Medical Attention
First, you need to get to safety and seek medical attention. This might involve calling for an ambulance if the injury is serious or seeking first aid. Obviously, it will depend on the kind of injury that you sustain, but it is always a good idea to get checked over by a professional. Not all injuries present themselves immediately, and it is also helpful to obtain medical documentation of the injury. Be sure to listen carefully to the healthcare professional and follow their treatment and recovery advice.
Report The Injury & Notify HR
You must also report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. This is so that an accurate record of the incident can be created, which could be key when filing a workers’ compensation claim (more on this later). Additionally, this is an important step to take action to prevent the accident from happening again.
Collect Evidence
You should also collect as much evidence as possible to determine exactly what transpired. This could include:
- Witness statements
- CCTV footage
- Photographs of the accident site and injuries
- Medical documentation
Speak To A Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you have been injured on the job, speaking to a workers’ compensation attorney is a good idea. They will be able to help you obtain compensation benefits, which can include medical expense coverage and coverage for any lost income as a result of the injury. These cases can be complex, and it is vital that you are able to prove that the injury was not your fault. Therefore, you need to find a trusted San Diego workers compensation office that will be able to improve your chances of finding success. When you have experts building your case, it will also allow you to focus your energy on recovering from the injury.
These are the main steps that you need to take if you are ever injured at work. There are hazards in every industry to be aware of, but it is also the duty of your employer to provide a safe work environment. If you are ever injured at work, you need to know what steps you can take so that you can minimize the impact of the injury, protect your legal rights, and reduce the chance of the injury happening again in the future.
