What you need to know to make an accident at work claim

One would certainly hope that you’d never be injured on the job, but if you one day are, you’ve got to know what to do. Making an accident at work claim after being hurt on the job can be performed in several easy-to-understand steps.

Easy-to-understand, that is, if you’re in a normal mental state. This is not always the case following an unfortunate injury. You can set yourself up for success by understanding how to behave if you find yourself in this situation. This way you’ll have a plan, rather than trying to figure out what to do when you’re not at your best (and possibly hospitalized).

First things first, create a relationship with a qualified solicitor before you are injured. Qualified legal services come in handy in all sorts of situations, so even if you are never injured on the job you won’t be sorry to have a solicitor to call in an emergency. However, if you are hurt while working, this relationship is indispensable.

If you are injured at work, call your solicitor as soon as possible (after proper first aid is administered, of course). While there’s much your solicitor can do for you, the minutes following injury are still very important for you to capitalize upon.

Start by documenting evidence about the injury that occurred. Your employer has numerous responsibilities with regard to your safety. The employer must provide adequate protective gear, properly maintained equipment, a clean and tidy workplace without trip hazards, etc. If you are injured through employer negligence, take pictures of the scene and of your injury. If the injury was the result of improper equipment, make sure these are visually noted.

You’ll also want to create a written document of the event, and get the signatures of anyone who was a witness to the event. Your written description of what happened, corroborated by coworkers and other witnesses, will be a powerful document in your favor. An ongoing journal of your injury and recovery is another important document to keep.

In most cases, you will have three years from the time of your injury in which to file a claim. You will likely find it easier, however, to act earlier, while the case is still “fresh”. The days and weeks that follow an injury are when all the action happens. During this time, you should keep careful record of correspondences between you and your employer, and note all actions taken by you or on your behalf with regard to your company’s workplace injury policy.

After doing all of this due diligence, you’ll have only to wait for your solicitor to sort out the rest. Don’t worry if you are not able to accomplish every single item in this list. A qualified legal expert will be of great assistance in this regard, getting you the restitution you need, often without having to go to court. The resolution of workplace injury claims is never enjoyable, but with a little effort you will find that it’s easy to get the payment you earn, with just a little documentation work and help from a solicitor.