Workplace injuries aren’t uncommon, especially in more dangerous professions, such as construction work, emergency services, and transportation jobs. Car accidents are extremely common, and they result in over 36,000 fatalities per year in the United States alone. Of course, you don’t need to be in the transportation industry or to work a dangerous job to suffer a work-related injury. A slip and fall in a stockroom or an accident with a cutting board is all it takes.
Workers’ compensation insurance is meant to protect workers who suffer injuries on the job. The normal process is basically that you notify your employer as soon as possible, get medical treatment from a doctor within your employer’s insurance network, report your injury in writing, and file an insurance claim. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t make their money by actually paying out claims, and not every workers’ compensation claim goes smoothly. There are also times when you may not want to file a workers’ comp claim, such as if your injury was caused by gross negligence or malicious intentions by your employer. Taking advantage of workers’ compensation benefits waives your right to sue your employer, which is something you may not wish to do.
If you feel like your insurance claim has been unfairly denied or the circumstances of your personal injury have compelled you to take greater action, you’ll need the help of the best personal injury lawyer with years of experience. Here’s what you’ll need to do to make your personal injury case go as smoothly as possible.
Take medical treatments and follow-ups seriously.
Whether you intend to make a workers’ compensation claim or not, you need to seek immediate medical treatment as soon as possible for your own safety. You’ll have little choice if it was a serious injury, but even if you think it was just a mild bump on the head, you’ll need to seek medical care, since traumatic brain injuries can have late-showing symptoms.
Getting immediate care also helps your case by building spotless medical records. You’ll prove that all your injuries occurred due to the workplace accident, which will help your attorney with a lawsuit or settlement. If you wait to be treated, the defendant can challenge your claims and argue that your injuries became more severe due to your own neglect or poor decisions. Naturally, you’ll be attempting to recoup your medical expenses as part of the settlement for your personal injury claim.
Collect as much evidence regarding the accident as possible at the workplace.
When you’re injured at work, there’s a good chance that the entire event was captured on a security camera. Your personal injury lawyer can make a request for the footage to use in your case. In the meantime, you’ll need to provide photos of your injuries, medical records documenting the initial injuries and the pace of your recovery, and anything else your attorney may be able to use. This doesn’t just increase your odds of a successful verdict—it also makes it more likely that a great personal injury attorney will take your case in the first place.
Most injury lawyers take their cases on a contingency basis, meaning that they only get paid a percentage of your settlement if you win your case. This means that every case they take on is a risk, so you’ll need to present your case in the best way possible for them to take it on.
Keep your lawyer updated.
Just because you have a personal injury lawyer on the case doesn’t mean that your role as a client is over. You’ll need to update them on any developments in your case, including the pace of your recovery since that can impact your settlement. You’ll also need to alert your attorney immediately if anyone tries to contact you about the case, especially your employer or their insurance company. Direct all questions to your attorney, and let them use every tool at their disposal to win you fair compensation.
