Workplace injuries are very common, and yet so many people have no idea what to do after they’ve suffered one. What you do following your accident will make a big difference in whether you’ll be able to get compensation, and how much you will get. There’s nothing that can be as devastating as getting cheated out of compensation and not being able to earn income on top of it. This is why you need to know what to do and what to avoid so you can get the compensation you’re entitled to. Here are some of the worst things you could do after a workplace injury.
Waiting Before Seeing a Doctor
You need to see a doctor immediately after an accident. This is what will allow you to prove your case and your doctor will play a crucial role in your case. They will be able to tell the true extent of your injury and know what type of treatment you’ll need now and in the future. This will be very important when calculating the amount of a settlement or a judgment.
Another huge mistake you should avoid is not following through with your doctor’s advice. Going for your follow-up appointments and treatments will give your claim more legitimacy.
Speaking About the Facts of the Case Online
Social media activity can be used against you in workplace injury cases, so limit your social media activity as much as you can. We would advise that you close your social media accounts completely, but you can stop accepting friend requests and tighten up your security settings instead.
Hiring an Inexperienced Firm
You also have to be careful to not hire just any legal firm for your case. Make sure that workplace injury law is one of their main areas of expertise. They also need to have experience working in your jurisdiction.
If you live in Chicago, a Chicago law firm like Romanucci and Blandin is a great example. Not only is workplace injury clearly advertised on their website as one of their specializations, but they have plenty of court history to back it up. You should only work with a team that has a verifiable track record with your type of case and has worked on cases of all sizes.
Not Seeking Compensation Beyond Workers’ Compensation
A lot of people wrongly believe that they can only get workers’ compensation after a workplace injury but that’s not true. Not only could you sue for additional damages, but workers’ compensation will only cover some of the injury-related costs you suffered. Depending on your case, you could file a personal injury claim on top of your workers’ comp. If you win, you could get compensated for things like emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and lost earning capacity.
If you have suffered from a workplace injury, avoid these mistakes at all costs. This will allow you to maximize your claim and make sure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.