Working in a place where you can get injured is never ideal. However, when that injury is caused by the negligence of your employer then it’s even worse. You’re not only dealing with physical pain but also emotional turmoil and frustration. It’s easy to let these feelings take over and drive you to do something rash like press charges against your boss or quit without notice. However, there are certain things that you should do in order to help ensure that if the worst-case scenario does happen, then at least you have some type of recourse for what happened. Here are four steps that may help you get justice and compensation for your injuries!
1. Consider Your Legal Options
Even though it is important to take some time off to recover, understand that you may also want to consider pressing charges against your employer if they are responsible for this injury. Finding a lawyer can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! If you live in Kentucky for example, googling Kentucky workers compensation lawyers will show you all the available options in that area, so don’t hesitate to do your own research, and don’t forget to read reviews! The process itself can be difficult for all parties involved since it can end up in court and get very messy (especially if the boss is trying to prove that they’re not at fault). However, even if there’s a chance that you’ll get compensation for what happened then it’s worth looking into.
The process of pressing charges against your employer can be difficult if you’re the injured party. The process doesn’t have to get that complicated, but there are some things you should consider if you are interested in following through with this avenue of action. First, review the incident report for any misunderstandings, misrepresentations, or omissions. Second, meet with an attorney to confirm your legal rights. Third, understand the timing necessary to take legal action so it does not get dismissed. Lastly, have realistic expectations about what will happen when it goes to court between the attorneys and how the jury might view the situation.
2. Keep Good Documentation
Having proof of your injury is always helpful in any situation where you may need to seek legal recourse for an issue. However, when it comes to workplace injuries, having documentation will set you miles ahead of someone who isn’t sure if they should press charges or not. This includes the immediate aftermath of the accident, especially since many people experience acute stress that can hardly be noticed after a while. To help keep track of what happened and how much pain you’re experiencing, consider writing down key information right after it happens. This includes details like your boss’s name, the date and time, where the incident occurred, and who else was there (including witnesses). It also doesn’t hurt to take pictures of what happened when you weren’t able to see it from the accident’s perspective.
3. Take a Break
Suffering from a workplace injury is hard enough as it is, but sometimes it can feel like you’re experiencing something out of a nightmare. In addition to dealing with physical discomfort and emotional turmoil, you also have a lot on your plate that makes even going through the motions difficult. If you find yourself unable to work or do anything without feeling the strong side effects of having been injured, then consider taking some time off until your body heals. This will not only give you a chance to deal with what happened without worrying about deadlines and coworkers’ needs but also help ensure that when it comes down to filing charges against your employer that you aren’t asking for too much time off.
4. Seek Medical Attention
Lying about your injury or not getting it treated can make filing charges against your employer difficult because you won’t have proof that the accident actually happened. To prevent yourself from being accused of faking an injury, go to a doctor right away and let them do their job. Doing so will give you the best chances of getting the proper treatment for what you’re suffering through instead of just trying to ignore it until it goes away on its own. It also gives you documentation that you were at least seen by someone regarding what’s going on with your body if anything does happen down the line! If you file charges against your employer, you may receive financial compensation for the harm they caused you. To do this, it’s very important that you save all of your receipts and invoices for any medical bills or costs that are related to the accident. This will help your case by showing that you in fact did suffer damages due to the accident and that your expenses are legitimate.
It’s not easy to deal with a workplace injury. Especially one that was caused by the negligence of your employer. However, if you’re going to press charges there are certain things you should do in order to make your case as strong as possible and get justice and compensation for what happened. The steps we’ve outlined above may help you get started on the process or give some clarity about how difficult it can be.
