Chapter 1: Introduction
Many workers become overwhelmed after getting injured at work. That’s because claiming for compensation procedure can be complex and frustrating. With the following guide and an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can get through the process with expert help.
Chapter 2: First Thing You Should Do After Being Injured At Work
If you’re injured at work, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Even if you think the injury is minor, it’s essential to get checked out by a doctor. Going to the hospital is the best way to ensure that you get the care you need and start on the road to recovery.
Seek Medical Attention As Soon As Possible
It’s essential to see a doctor after an accident, even if you don’t think you’re injured. Some injuries, like whiplash, can take time to manifest. A doctor will document your injuries and provide you with a treatment plan.
Often, minor injuries can cause permanent damage, and you’ll need to pursue a claim against the company with the help of a personal injury lawyer like Robert J. DeBry & Associates.
Don’t be fooled by seemingly trivial accidents. Even the smallest of injuries can have lasting effects that could limit your ability to work. Only a doctor can be trusted to diagnose your injuries, so get to a hospital as soon as possible.
Share Details of the Accident With Your Doctor
When you see the doctor, be sure to share details of the accident with them. This will help them understand the extent of your injuries and how to treat them best. It’s essential to be as detailed as possible when you’re recounting the accident so that the doctor can get a clear picture.
The doctor will record these details in your medical notes, which is helpful for your injury lawyer to have during a claim.
Keep a Record of All Costs Involved
Once you’ve been injured, it’s essential to keep track of all the costs involved in your recovery. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and any other expenses related to the accident. Having a record of these costs will be helpful when you’re pursuing a claim against the company.
Follow the Doctor’s Advice
Once a doctor has seen you, you must follow their advice. They will likely give you a list of things you need to do to recover from your injuries.
If they tell you to stop working to recover, you may follow their instruction. You’ll be able to claim for lost income if you pursue a claim with a personal injury lawyer, such as Robert J. DeBry & Associates.
Chapter 3: Equipment Related Injuries
If an equipment malfunction at work has hurt you, you may be wondering what to do next. Accidents like this can cause serious injuries, and you may be entitled to compensation.
What to Do After a Mechanical Injury at Work?
If you have been injured by a malfunctioning piece of equipment at work, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. This will ensure that your injuries are taken care of and that you have documentation of what happened.
Once you have seen a doctor, you should reach out to a personal injury lawyer. They will be able to help you navigate the legal process and file a claim against your employer.
Can You Claim Compensation for Faulty Equipment Accidents?
Yes, in many cases, you can claim compensation if you have been injured by faulty equipment at work. Your injury lawyer will be able to advise you on whether or not this is an option in your case.
Keep a record of what happened at the accident site, take pictures of the area, and collect witness details. The more information you have, the stronger your claim will be.
Common Types of Injuries Due to Equipment Malfunction
Equipment malfunctions can cause many different types of injuries. Some of the most common include:
- Broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Cuts and bruises
- Burns
- Loss of limbs
If you have suffered any type of injury due to a faulty piece of equipment, you should reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Chapter 4: Claim Compensation
Document What Happened
It is essential to document what happened during and after the accident. Write down as many details as possible about the accident, including what time it happened, where it happened, and how. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information.
Take pictures of the scene of the accident and any injuries you have. This is especially important if the accident wasn’t your fault, as you’ll need evidence for a personal injury lawyer to work with.
You’ll also need to record details about the medical care and the expenses incurred.
Report the Accident at Work
You should report the accident to your supervisor or company as soon as possible. They will need to report the accident to their insurance company and require you to fill out an incident report.
Include as many details as possible in the incident report, including where you worked when the accident occurred.
Make a Claim
You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you’re injured. This includes medical expenses and income replacement if you’re unable to work. In some cases, personal injury lawyers, like Robert J. DeBry & Associates, can help you get additional compensation if someone else’s negligence caused the accident.
Chapter 5: Things You Shouldn’t Do After Being Injured at Work
If you get injured at work, there are some do’s and don’ts that protect your legal rights and benefits of workers’ compensation. The following tips may help your claim:
- Don’t stop seeking medical treatment
Though it can be tempting to wait and see what your employer does, this approach can affect your claim compensation. If you delay or wait to seek medical attention after injury, your employer can claim the damage occurred outside the workplace or argue you weren’t seriously injured.
- Delay in Telling Your Employer About the Injury
It is not recommended to delay telling your employer about the injury.
- Don’t accept any form of settlement
In most cases, those injured at work are given a small amount that can’t cater to the initial medical expenses. Settling for such amounts means the case files get closed, and you’ll no longer seek further financial assistance.
- Don’t post images or information about your injuries online
If you took photos of your injuries, it could help with claiming compensation. But, do not post it on any social media platform, your website, message boards, or blogs.
Chapter 6: Follow Safety Precautions
Machines have revolutionized how individuals complete various tasks. However, workplace equipment has been a leading cause of accidents. The effects of machine-related workplace injuries can vary from minor injuries to fatalities and permanent disability. To avoid future injuries, consider taking the following safety precautions:
Never Remove Machine Guards
Moving and cutting machines must have guards to protect operators from coming into contact with cutting surfaces, sparks, or flying debris. The operator and maintenance teams should never remove the guard. After repairs, workers should never operate equipment without a guard. To dislodge stuck material on a moving machine, one should not bypass the guard. Robert J. DeBry & Associates can help injured workers get compensation.
Companies Should Ensure Everyone has the Right PPE.
Nobody should enter a construction site or manufacturing plant without the proper PPE. Common PPEs include safety goggles, closed-toe shoes, overalls, hard hats, and gloves. Each PPE must be of the right quality.
Train the Workforce Adequately
Workers must have adequate training about their safety before operating heavy machinery. They should know the risks and how to avoid them, emergency steps, and the communication procedures in case of an accident. This way, they can stay alert at the workplace and know what to do to mitigate the risks.
Follow Proper Maintenance Schedules
A company should never skip routine maintenance, even if the machine works well. Cutting care may lower the performance of the equipment and cause other problems like overheating, broken gears, belt jams, and increased wear and tear due to inadequate lubrication. Each organization should hire qualified professionals for maintenance and repair and have each issue detected and kept in the relevant file. A personal injury lawyer helps workers sue negligent companies.
Taking steps to prevent accidents is cheaper than dealing with injuries and the legal consequences of occupational hazards. It also reduces downtime as the company does not lose its precious workforce to injuries. If injured at the workplace, seek the help of a personal injury lawyer to seek compensation.
Chapter 7: Conclusion
Speak With A Personal Injury Lawyer
After being injured or injured by an equipment malfunction at work, speak with a personal injury lawyer at Robert J. DeBry & Associates. We will help you understand your rights and guide you through the process of filing a claim.
If you’ve been injured at work, don’t hesitate to reach out to a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. Our injury lawyers can help ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Our injury lawyers have over 250 years of combined experience and have helped recover millions of dollars for those injured.
Visit debry2021stg.wpenginepowered.com to learn more about the cases we handle or to speak with a representative on a 24/7 line.