The workplace can be one of the most dangerous environments in which to sustain an injury. Whether you work in an office, a warehouse or a factory, there are varying degrees of hazard all around you, any of which can cause serious personal harm. Particularly where negligence has played a part, or where the employer can be held accountable for your injuries, there may be a case in personal injury law for damages in respect of your injuries. If you suffer an injury in the workplace, there are a number of steps you should take to keep your case live, and to build the strongest foundation for an eventually successful claim for your efforts.
If you have suffered an injury in the workplace, the first thing you need to do is to make a note of all of the circumstances of the case. This should include the events running up to the accident, and the injuries you have suffered. Where possible, you should also meet with a doctor, who can describe the details of your case if this becomes an issue later down the line. Making notes of everything as soon as possible is the best way to guarantee you get all the details when they are fresh in your memory. Even seemingly innocuous details can be the difference between the success or otherwise of your claim, so it makes sense to record these as quickly and as comprehensively as you can following the incident.
You then need to take these notes and visit an attorney, like Omaha Workers Compensation Attorneys. Whenever there is mention of a legal case, or being involved in an action for damages, you will find friends and family members offering advice as to how you should best proceed. Some will claim to be talking from personal experience or knowledge of the law. The best advice is to ignore anyone who is trying to help you, other than a qualified, experienced attorney. With the best will in the world, legal advice from laymen and laywomen is seldom the most effective basis for a case in court.
You should also ask your lawyer to push for an out-of-court settlement where possible. This will involve negotiating with your employer, but can be a quicker way to achieve a satisfactory resolution. Depending on your lawyer’s negotiating skills, it can be possible to get a more generous compensation award in this way, without the risk that the courts will not find in your favor.
The way you respond to an injury at work is crucial. The early phases after an injury are critical to the overall chances of your claim succeeding, and following these guidelines can help ensure you are in the strongest position to take your action through the courts. With the right legal representation, it becomes easier to navigate the judicial process, enabling you to raise a more probable action for damages. As a result, it pays to be careful when choosing a lawyer to represent your case, to ensure you are getting the best possible deal.
Originally posted on January 22, 2014 @ 9:00 pm