WHAT STEPS TO TAKE AFTER AN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT

No matter where you work, there is always the possibility you could get injured on the job. With that said, construction sites, refineries, oil fields, railways, transportation facilities, drilling rigs, and manufacturing plants tend to be especially dangerous. In these environments, heavy machinery, toxic chemicals, equipment rollovers, and slips and falls all represent threats to your safety.

The actions you take after an on-the-job accident (or the discovery of a job-related illness) can dramatically impact the outcome of your claim. If you recently suffered injuries at work, our industrial accident attorneys can help you understand what you should do to protect your ability to recover compensation.

When you suffer injuries in a work-related accident or discover an illness that may be work-related, be sure to take the following steps:

• Report the Accident: Even if you believe the severity of your injuries is minimal, it is still important that you report the accident to your employer. A minor injury may have major consequences you will not initially know about. The amount of time you have to report an accident varies by state, but in many cases, you will have as few as 30 days. It is therefore in your best interest to report an accident and your injuries as soon as possible. Failing to promptly report can hurt your chances of receiving benefits.
• Seek Medical Attention: Getting a thorough medical evaluation soon after the incident is paramount. Doing so will ensure that your injuries are examined, identified, treated, and documented by a professional. Though you may feel a minor accident does not warrant a visit to your doctor, some injuries are not apparent at first, while others will worsen over time. Having a doctor determine the prognosis is essential to your well-being. During your visit, you must let your doctor know that the injury was work-related so that they can document this fact. When this information is not communicated and recorded, insurance companies will sometimes attempt to deny a workplace injury claim.
• Document Everything: Following an accident, you should gather as much evidence as possible. Take photos and videos of your injuries and the area where the accident occurred, including any elements that may have contributed to your injuries. Get contact information from witnesses and ensure the manager-on-duty creates an official incident report. You should also get a note from your physician and log medical appointment records. Without these documents, you will have a tougher time getting benefits.
• File a Claim: After suffering a workplace injury, you generally have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim to cover your losses. Insurance companies look to pay out as little as possible, making these cases more challenging than they ought to be. If you are struggling to get what you are entitled to or your claim is outright denied, we urge you to get in touch with Potts Law Firm. It is often advantageous to hire an attorney before you file a claim, as a legal professional may be able to secure a favorable outcome faster if they work on a case from the beginning.

WHAT DAMAGES CAN I RECOVER AFTER AN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT?

The injuries sustained in an industrial accident can be life-altering. The impact often extends beyond out-of-pocket expenses to cover less calculable forms of loss. Many states forbid workers from filing personal injury lawsuits against their employers, even if an employer’s negligence caused the accident. Fortunately, workers’ compensation claims theoretically allow victims to get compensation for many of the same types of losses, even if you cannot prove fault. We are extensively familiar with both processes and can provide the aggressive representation you need to prevail.

Our industrial accident lawyers will leverage all available remedies to get you compensation for monetary and non-monetary damages, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life