Every work injury is a cause for concern for the victim and their family. It is both annoying and painful at the same time, which immediately calls for a stop to the workday activities so that you can get medical attention. It’s no secret that treatments can be expensive, and what those are added to the lost wages because you were unable to work due to the injuries, receiving proper compensation for your workplace injuries is a must. Because some employers and insurance companies aren’t always too thrilled to payout, it’s important to learn some of the effective hacks that can help with your claim.
1. Know The Law
The law is a complicated matter, and there’s a reason why law schools and colleges exist. So while no one should expect people from other branches to know ever in and out of the law, it’s important that you get acquainted with some basics of it that have a direct influence on your life. Some laws are made on a federal level – meaning they apply to all states – and some are made on a state level. The matter of worker’s compensation is regulated on a state level, so if for example, live in Atlanta, looking up what the workers’ compensation FAQ’s in Georgia are is the way to go. Of course, the same applies wherever you live – make sure to read up on articles related to compensation laws in your state. That way, you’ll have a basis for what to do, and what you can expect when you get injured. Understanding what these are is important when it comes to knowing your rights, and if you understand them well enough, you can make the procedures go more smoothly.
2. See A Doctor
This may be an obvious one, but when you get injured on the job, you need to see a doctor right away. Don’t wait until things get worse! If you suffered through a head impact, there might not be obvious signs at first, but waiting to see if you develop migraines, blurry vision, or any other symptoms could be way too dangerous. Don’t go for quick fixes either – some common pain meds can work against you depending on your injuries. In a similar way, if you simply get a small cut, you also need to see a doctor – getting tetanus shot once a decade might be enough for some people, but if you cut your hand open on a rusty metal sheet at work, it’s better to be safe than sorry. In the end, what these two points come down to is this: don’t simply go home and hope that everything will get better by itself! Apart from making a huge difference for your health, going to the doctors and getting treated is a good way to establish the injuries did happen, how they happened, as well as how they affected you after the fact, all of which is important to proving your case and getting the compensation.
3. Collect Evidence
As stated before, seeing a doctor is important for your claim. After you receive your treatment, it’s important that you get a copy of your medical records as soon as you can. Apart from that, if you’re able to, taking pictures of the area where your accident happened, your injuries, as well as recording any conversations you might have with your employers is good for the case. If there were any witnesses, you might want to ask for their information so that they can testify if need be about what happened. Insurance companies are only looking out for themselves – if presented with enough evidence, they’ll act on it. You can even keep a journal that will detail your mood and feelings towards the entire situation, taking note of how and when your injuries start acting up. That might be relevant when it comes to getting compensation related to potential emotional distress. The more evidence, the better – evidence is your best friend when it comes to winning your case!
4. Document Your Work History
Another thing you can do is document all of your work history for the past five years – how much money did you make, what were you doing for each company, was there anything relevant to any of the positions you held, etc. If you have a contract for any of your jobs, keep that copy in with the documents so that there are no hassles when it comes to proving your case. By establishing that you’re a hard-working person with a good track record, you are establishing credibility. It might not always seem fair, but people are more likely to take what you’re saying seriously if you have a good reputation. The best advice for dealing with insurance companies, bosses, or even other employees is to never lose your cool! Stay respectful while you’re on the job, but if you have a valid case and do your research, it’s going to be hard for them to deny you anything.
It might seem like a lot of work to go through, but if you’re dedicated and put in the time and effort, you’ll see that it’s worth it. Stay on top of every update and a new piece of information as they come, and always read up on your rights as an employee since there are some laws that vary depending on your location. It’s probably a good idea to contact a lawyer as well, but not before making sure that you have a strong case.
