No one wants to get injured while working. However, when you are in the moment, it’s easy to lose track of things in the heat of the moment. This can be especially true if you’re not in a protected environment. That’s just the harsh reality. That’s why workers’ compensation exists. Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that an employer must obtain to pay for certain types of claims made by its employees or their dependents in the case of death, arising out of and in the course of employment. If you become injured while on work premises (which covers off-site business meetings too), there are some things you need to do right away for yourself and your future.
What You Need To Do When Injured at Workplace
A man getting injured at the workplace is an unfortunate event that is not inherently preventable. You can take certain precautions at work to reduce the possibility of injury, but it will be impossible to eliminate all risks. If you do get injured, here’s here are six things that you need to know about handling an injury at work:
1. Seek Legal Advice About Your Injury Claim
Your employer’s insurer will handle your work injury claim, so it is best to seek legal advice about your injury claim. There are many reasons why seeking legal advice makes sense following an injury caused by negligence at work. First, it’s better to talk to a personal injury lawyer who understands the law and has experience dealing with claims from injured workers. A lawyer can help you file a claim, demand compensation for your injuries, negotiate a settlement or represent you in a claim hearing if necessary. In addition, most insurers are now using 3rd party mediation services to settle claims faster before they escalate into lengthy court battles. Therefore, it makes sense to seek help from experienced lawyers familiar with this process.
2. Report Your Injury ASAP
It is essential to report your injury as soon as possible so that the insurer knows you have suffered a loss. This will also help avert any potential disputes about whether an injury occurred and when it occurred. Notifying the insurer of your injury right away is particularly important if you think your damage was caused by something other than ‘normal’ wear and tear. Instead, by reporting the incident immediately, there will be a chance for measures to be taken against issues like these. Employers are obliged under the Occupational Health Safety Act (OHSA) “to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for preventing injuries.” If they fail their duty, they can be fined up to $1 million or jailed for two years.
3. Seek Medical Attention
As soon as you can, seek medical attention. Suppose the injury is caused by a work-related accident. In that case, your employer will cover the cost of any necessary treatment or procedure required to cure or alleviate the effects of the injury. The coverage also includes damages resulting from common accidents like slipping on ice outside of work premises, falling off stairs at home while climbing down carrying office files. Hospital fees can be quite costly; therefore, it would be better to visit an approved medical clinic (SGH has some) where costs are cheaper than hospitals and do not require referral letters from GP’s to attend.
4. Take Notes Of All The Details Of The Accident
It’s in your best interests to take note of all the details surrounding your accident. Take lots of notes, and record the date, time, and place where it happened. If possible, gather witness contact information, but don’t put yourself at risk by approaching dangerous machinery or equipment after you get injured. If your personal injury is severe enough that you can’t move quickly, ask someone else to find help while you remain where you are until assistance arrives. Taking notes will make filing a claim much easier later on when you need to recall what happened during the incident that led to your injuries.
5. Follow Your Doctor’s Advice About Recovery And Return To Work
Your employer might assign you a ‘Return to Work Coordinator‘ (RTWC) to help create a plan concerning your recovery and return to work. It’s important to follow your RTWC’s instructions about the steps you should take for treatment and follow up with any recommendations they give you (e.g., physiotherapy and other medical care). If your progress is slow or complications arise during the recovery process, let your doctor know right away. Do not attempt self-recovery by working through the pain, as it could be difficult for an insurer to assess your injury claim later. Also, your doctor may have ordered how much time off work is required to recover. Along with any limitations for returning to work like the activity level that’s safe for your recovery. Follow your doctor’s advice carefully – it can help speed up healing and reduce future problems caused by not following medical advice after an accident at work. If you do not follow these guidelines, it can affect your claim.
6. Contact Your Employer As Soon As You’re Ready To Return To Work
If your injuries are severe enough to require time off work to recover fully, you need to contact your employer right away. Your employer has the right under OHSA to refuse unsafe workers from returning to work – which means that if you don’t tell them about your injury and they find out later that you’ve been going to a doctor’s appointment, they can fire you for the cause. Tell them as soon as possible so that they have a reasonable opportunity to accommodate any restrictions placed on your job performance or physical capabilities following an accident at work.
Injuries at the workplace are inevitable, but there are certainly ways to reduce them by using safety methods and practicing safety in the office. Employers are also obliged to fulfill their responsibilities under Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA) “to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for preventing injuries.” If they fail their duty, they can be fined up to $1 million or jailed for two years. If you follow this guideline, it will be easier for the insurance company to settle your claim. You should also seek medical attention after an accident at work so that you can get better and go back to your normal activities as soon as possible.
