Accidents happen. Some are more severe than others. But when they happen to you, and they occur at work, the stress can be overwhelming. Depending on the particular circumstances, you could be facing not only a catastrophic injury but the loss of your livelihood as well. If you’ve been seriously hurt at work, take these four steps immediately:
Report the Accident and Make a Claim for Benefits
The first thing you should do is report the accident and detail the injury sustained from the event to management right away. Getting an accident report is crucial. However, you may want to seek advice from an attorney who specializes in work-related injury cases before filing a worker’s compensation claim.
Seek Medical Care
Make sure you get to a doctor or hospital as quickly as possible for treatment as well as a professional assessment of your injuries. It’s vital to advise your doctor that this is a work-related injury as this will be recorded in your medical file and help your case as it progresses.
Consult with a Professional Personal Injury Attorney
Most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation. It could be beneficial to seek expert advice from a lawyer focusing on these types of situations before filing workers’ compensation paperwork. In addition, it’s essential to keep copies of all paperwork related to your injury. When you need to find a lawyer Iowa it’s easy to go online and check out their credentials and reviews from clients or ask for referrals from trusted friends or family members.
Document Everything Related to The Accident
It is essential to document everything related to your work-related accident. You can do this by taking pictures of where the event occurred and your actual injury shot from various angles to reveal the entire affected area. You could also record a video in addition to the photographs. A written journal of what occurred and all issues related to the injury is helpful also. Make sure to describe any pain you are experiencing and any other symptoms you may be suffering due to the accident.
As you can see, there are many things to consider if you’ve experienced a work-related injury. The most important thing is to stay mentally strong. A little bit of positivity goes a long way. Also, seek medical treatment, follow the doctors’ orders, and stay connected with friends, family, and co-workers.
