What Should You Do After Being Injured While Volunteering?

Volunteering to help with a good cause is one of the best things you can do with your time. Unfortunately, if you are injured while volunteering, workers’ compensation often doesn’t provide any coverage. What should you do after being injured while volunteering?

Seek Medical Attention

The first thing you should do after being injured while on a volunteer assignment is seek medical attention. You have to take care of yourself if you wish to deal with the situation in a healthy manner. Depending on the type of accident you’re involved in, you might call 911 to have a paramedic tend to your needs at the scene. You might ride in an ambulance to the emergency room and you might also need follow-up care at a later date. In any case, be sure you take care of yourself so you have the strength and energy to take the next steps. 

Speak With the Organizer About Insurance Coverage

After you have sought medical attention, you should speak with the organizer or manager of the organization you were volunteering with. It’s possible the organization had additional insurance coverage that will cover some or part of your medical expenses. If not, you’ll have to get creative in how you seek coverage.

Speak With a Lawyer

In some cases when you’re injured while volunteering, you can seek compensation by filing a lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries. Keep in mind, it’s not always the organization that is responsible. For example, if you have volunteered as a crossing guard for a school, a driver who hits you in the crosswalk could be responsible instead of the school district. Your lawyer can help you determine which party or parties should be liable for your injuries.

When you understand who is liable, you have a direction to turn for compensation. Your lawyer can help you make a case for compensation and file a lawsuit against that party. Chances are this will take some time, so it’s important to get it done as soon as possible. 

Understanding Your Rights Today

As a volunteer, you’re doing something great for the community, but accidents can still happen. In most cases, you won’t have compensation opportunities through workers’ compensation, but there are still some ways to be compensated for your injuries. Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer today so you can understand your rights and begin to seek compensation through the proper avenues.