If you're unfortunate enough to get injured at work, it's important to know what actions should be taken to ensure you are getting the right compensation where it's due.
Here's a list of things that you should know in order to protect yourself.
Report the injury.
This can be anything from a fall, burn, cut, or any other trauma that has been caused by something or someone at work. It's important that you report the injury as soon as it has happened to your Supervisor, telling them exactly what took place and where.
Ensure your Supervisor prepares a company accident report.
If for any reason your Supervisor isn't willing to do this, you will need to take it upon yourself to write a letter stating everything that happened, including your injury, and then make a copy for your Supervisor. If possible, get a signature from them to confirm that they have received it.
Get medical care through Company Doctor.
This doesn't apply to everyone, but in certain businesses, there is a Doctor for employees if they have an work related accident. If you do have one, then see them about your injury.
If you go to your usual Doctor, it may look like your problem wasn't caused by work. So keep requesting to be seen if they don't comply immediately.
Tell the Company Doctor exactly what happened.
Go into as much detail as possible. If you feel as though the Doctor isn't paying you enough attention, or isn't making a note of what you've told them - as mentioned before - write your own statement of how your injury was caused, and give them a copy of it. (Try getting it signed again to prove it has been received.)
Follow all medical directions.
If you do not do this, your employer may say that you decided not to take the care given, resulting in you having time off work for no real reason. Also, get the Doctor to write down any things that you should avoid doing at work, make a few copies of this and give one to your Supervisor.
Medical bill.
Make sure that any bills that start to arrive due to the medical care you're getting are being sent to your Supervisor by the Company Doctor.
Taking things into your own hands.
If your Supervisor and Company Doctor are not cooperating with you, it may be time to get outside help from a personal injury attorney. They will be your legal representation to help with your claim.
Getting your money.
If you end up missing time off work because of your injury, your employer should be paying you for the time you're out of work. If they refuse to do this - speak to your lawyer. They will have the knowledge and tools to get you the appropriate compensation that you deserve.
Now you know what needs to be done, you can take the right steps if ever you do end up getting hurt at work. The key thing to remember is getting signatures to confirm what is being said and agreed to. Then you can't go wrong.
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