3 Things to Do After a Fall at Work
Injury at Work
Many times, people underestimate the severity of falls. Any type of injury that can cause damage to your back or spine is a serious one. If you have fallen and gotten injured on the job from something like slippery stairs or the negligence of workplace policy not being enforced or put in place, then there are a few things that you should know. It is important to remain calm in this situation and to take care of your injuries promptly. Consider these three things to do in the event of an injury at work.
1. Seek Medical Attention
Your priority should be getting the medical attention that you need. You may have to call an ambulance, or you may be able to go in your own vehicle to the hospital. Either way, you need to have your injuries evaluated by a doctor. Falls can be dangerous, and symptoms of the injury may be masked for hours after the incident. Before you do anything else, take care of your health. Follow treatment recommendations from your doctor after the injury so that you can get back on your feet as soon as possible.
2. Gather Evidence
After the accident, you need to have an accurate account of what happened. Were the steps icy and untreated with salt? Was there a wet floor with no clearly labeled signage? You need to write down what you remember about the incident. It can also be helpful to have accounts from others who witnessed the event. You could also ask the manager or supervisor on duty to write an accident report for you. All this information will be invaluable to you if you need to pursue your case further. If the company attempts to do anything in retaliation due to your injury, like withhold pay or even terminate you, document this and share it with your lawyer. Companies are not allowed to take retaliatory measures against employees for injuries on the job.
3. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you feel that your accident occurred as the result of the company’s negligence, then you can contact a personal injury lawyer for help. They can help you navigate dealing with the company and making sure insurance is in place by your employer. Workplace injury settlements are something that a company, as well as the insurance company will want to get settled quickly and for the lowest amount possible. Your personal injury lawyer will know this and can help you to get the settlement that you deserve.
Being injured on the job can be scary, embarrassing, and dangerous. If you have been the victim of this type of accident, there is help for you. Consider these things that you need to do after the incident, and do not be afraid to seek the help that you need.