Did you know that in 2013 alone, there were over 300,000 job-related injuries, including sprains, tears, slips, trips, falls ,and back injuries? Unfortunately, work-related injuries are extremely common and can happen at any moment. The small upside of this problem is that state and federal workers’ compensation laws typically have your back, with about 125.8 million employees covered under these regulations. With the aid of a worker compensation lawyer, the injured party is able to use these laws set in place to her advantage, effectively holding their employer responsible for any physical damage incurred.
Workers compensation doesn’t only cover 100% of medical costs; it can also provide monetary benefits for any lost work time. While risks that are taken in the workplace may very well be voluntary, it should never be the injured party’s monetary responsibility to pay for the medical care, especially considering how costly it is to do so. Here are steps you should take if you happen to be injured on the job in order to ensure maximum compensation:
Document Absolutely Everything
Fall and break your leg at the banana peel factory? Take a picture of the wayward peel. And it might be gruesome, but take a photo of your broken leg. Additionally, make copies of your medical records and gather eyewitness accounts. This measure guarantees that your claim won’t be falsified or debunked. Additionally, it will help you to keep your account in order and to keep details as accurate as possible.
Call a Workers Compensation Attorneyit’s important to call workers comp lawyers right away. Workers compensation attorneys can help you handle the entire claims process, as well as any of the tricky loopholes, red tape, and other obstacles that can stump someone who isn’t exactly well-versed on the topic of workers compensation law. These professionals will help you to get what you deserve from your employers.
Keep Your Coworkers in the Loop
Have you ever heard of the phrase “there’s strength in numbers?” Well, this definitely applies here. Having your fellow employees understand how your employer handles workers comp claims, injuries, and other problems might help them to come forward about an issue they were previously struggling with.