What’s the worst that can happen to you, at work? No, it’s not the coffee machine being out of order or Mary from accounts forgetting to use deodorant again. It could be being bullied or losing your job of course. But having an accident that leaves you with an injury has to rank up there as one of the very worst things that could happen. And most of us have absolutely no idea what we would do if that happened. It is a situation where having some idea of your rights and responsibilities in advance can really make a difference to your ability to recover from the accident and get on with your life.
Many factors contribute to your risk of injury on the job, besides what you do for a living. Examples include how many shifts you work, how long you’ve been on the job, and your age. An accident at work can happen to anyone. Knowing what to do after a physically devastating accident is crucial. Unsuspecting workers can make many mistakes. Here is a list of the things you shouldn’t do after you’ve suffered a work injury.
Not Reporting the Incident Right Away
Not surprisingly, many employees refuse to report work incidents. They’re afraid to speak up about what happened because of fear of retaliation. To be more precise, workers believe that, if they report the injury, there will be repercussions. If you’ve been involved in a work accident, you should report the incident to your supervisor, even if you’re not physically injured. As a result, you become eligible for worker’s compensation benefits. A workplace accident report is a legal requirement. When you report the injury to your supervisor or employer, they’ll file an injury report with their insurance company.
In the event of serious injury, the employer has to report the accident by means of RIDDOR to the Health and Safety Executive. The report must be compiled within 15 days of the accident. If you work for someone who has an Accident Book, you can send an email or a letter to your employer detailing the situation. If they fail to report the incident, the employer could receive a hefty fine through a magistrate court. Most importantly, if the accident isn’t reported right away, your employer can deny it happened or maintain it happened outside of work.
Failing To Seek Medical Treatment for All Injuries
If you don’t receive treatment following a work accident, this can complicate things. Seeking suitable medical care is paramount to ensure that you can continue on a path to recovery. Additionally, the medical records of the treatment will help you get the most from your worker’s compensation benefits. Failing to disclose the truth to the doctor is a huge mistake. Provide them with a clear picture of what happened so the doctor can better understand your situation and figure out the best course of action. If you have a herniated disk, but your knee also hurts, make sure to mention that.
More often than not, employees are reluctant to reveal past injuries. You have to be completely transparent when it comes to the facts. Disclose information about past work-related incidents and pre-existing conditions, even if they have nothing to do with the current event. Failure to do so can cause unnecessary problems. It would be best if you didn’t lie or withhold information. The best thing you can do is tell the truth. Inaccurate information can lead to significant costs to your health, not to mention that it will be very difficult to get fair compensation.
Posting About What Happened on Social Media
Under the law, employers are required to have worker’s compensation insurance to cover employees in case of job-related injury or illness. In exchange for losing your right to sue your employer, you get benefits for a work-related injury without having to prove fault. Compensation Calculator UK draws attention to the fact that there are exceptions to the rule. If your injury became worse or aggravated due to your employer’s wrongful concealment of the situation, you can file a personal injury claim and seek compensation. While you’re at home, unable to work, you have nothing better to do than hang out on social media. No matter what you do, don’t talk about the accident at work.
Your own words can be used against you. For instance, if you make jokes about the accident, the insurance adjuster will take it literally. Even posting something seemingly harmless, such as making comments about how better you feel, can have negative consequences. It’ll be used to undermine the seriousness of your injuries. All photos you share can be used as evidence. Don’t post pictures of yourself having a drink or attending a party. You can set your account to private, but everything you post online is traceable. A claims investigator will stop at nothing to find evidence against you.
Turning Down a Work Position
If you’re returning to work after a long absence due to an accident, it can be a troublesome process. You have to adjust to the work environment. Instead of working full-time, you should come back one or two days a week. Better yet, your workload could be made lighter. If you’re offered a new work position, you shouldn’t refuse. As an employee, you’re obligated to take the position offered based on the assigned status. Plus, it will make your life easier. Keep in mind that, if you don’t return to work or turn down the job offer, it will be considered a voluntary refusal of income.
Simply put, if you refuse to return to work, the insurance company will terminate your worker’s compensation benefits and close your claim. It’s illegal for an injured worker to be retaliated, yet there are legitimate reasons for doing so. You can be fired if the doctor asserts you can perform limited job duties and you refuse to come back to work. If you’re partially disabled, reach out to your employer and come up with a work plan. They’re obligated to provide you with lighter duties. The employer has to put special measures in place to reasonably accommodate you.
Not Hiring a Solicitor
On the whole, and taking everything into consideration, you should seek legal representation. It’s not a good idea to handle the worker’s compensation claim by yourself, no matter how capable you are. Speak to someone who knows the ins and outs of the law and will have your best interest at heart. Some cases can’t be settled. As mentioned earlier, you might be able to sue your employer for negligence in causing your injury. Hiring a solicitor increases your chances of receiving the maximum compensation possible.