Workplace accidents occur every day. Sometimes, those accidents result in serious injuries that affect employees’ livelihoods and financial standing.
Thankfully, instruments assist employees involved in accidents at work. However, to get the most out of those processes, employees should try to avoid a few mistakes.
Not seeking medical treatment
Parties should always seek medical attention after a workplace accident. Even if there seems to be minimum injuries, such as a slip-and-fall accident that results in soreness but no visible injuries, an examination may still prove beneficial. A physician can easily recognize and treat injuries that may not be easily identifiable, such as internal issues. On the other hand, if an injury develops over time due to the incident, the examination can help to support the claim down the road.
Not creating a paper trail
Similar to seeking medical treatment, it is extremely important that parties create a paper trail of their incident. This should include a few different types of documents, such as:
- Incident reports
- Medical records
- Medical bills
If possible, parties should maintain the original documents and provide copies for the case. Along with these documents, parties may also include additional supporting documents, photos, videos and expert statements.
Not obliging requests
The company has set protocols in place to handle on-the-job accidents. When parties do not consent to them, it may inevitably affect their case. For example, if corporate requests an employee to take a drug test after an accident, not obliging may disqualify the party from future compensation. Also, non-compliance may bring questions of claim validity, or it may substantiate any argument of contributory negligence against a claim.
Avoiding these common mistakes can aid employees in creating strong cases for their claims. It may also be beneficial to consult with a knowledgeable professional to determine the best course of action.
