The challenges of dealing with work injuries are numerous and extend beyond healing and taking care of the injury itself. Difficult issues that arise from a work injury include the process of getting compensation from the employer and the potentially strained employee-employer relations the experience, or issues with the process may cause.
The best way to get a positive financial and diplomatic (regarding your work relations) outcome for your work injury is by knowing your rights, following the legal steps, and by using a good solicitor to handle the case on your behalf.
Here are a few things you need to know about your work injury compensation rights.
Medical Treatment
It is illegal for an employer to keep you from seeking medical treatment. You have the right to first aid treatment at the workplace and you also have the right to visit your doctor or seek hospitalisation if your injury is quite severe.
Records Are Important
Written records are incredibly important if you want a good chance of getting legal compensation. You should give employers written notice of any work-related illnesses and state all the details on work injury reports.
Confirm Your Sick Pay
You may get a number of sick leave days and you are entitled to sick pay, but the amount you are entitled to might not be equivalent to your full daily pay rate. For example, if you exceeded your number of sick leave days, the chances are good that you might not get compensated at all. Confirm your sick pay with your employer so you know where you stand.
Attend Your Medical Appointments
Plenty of illnesses and work injuries require various treatments such as physiotherapy, additional checkups, and more to get you back to your healthy self. It is important to attend these appointments because they will serve as proof of your injury. Employers are also legally bound to release you for additional medical appointments.
Take Time for Recovery
Severe work-related injuries and illnesses can result in hospitalisation and can require quite a long recovery period. If an employer is pressuring you to return to work before you have fully healed, then you should seek legal advice. As an unfit employee you could be a danger in the workplace. Returning to work too soon could also worsen injuries and result in longer healing times.
You Can Ask for Light Duties
If you absolutely have to return to work due to financial obligations, then you can always request light duties from your employer while you are still recovering. Light duties can include a number of things such as abstaining from heavy lifting or refraining from standing for long periods of time.
Seek Compensation
It is entirely possible to get the needed compensation for your work-related injury. Medical treatments, medication, and hospitalisation are costly, especially if you don’t have medical aid. It is especially important to seek compensation if your work injury has resulted in permanent damage that can affect your ability to work and earn a living for the rest of your life. When you are seeking compensation, it is essential to consult with our compensation lawyers at Pentana Stanton. We can give you the best advice with regard to your legal rights, the amount of money you want to be compensated for, and we can handle all negotiations for you.
Solicitors are important for helping you follow the right steps in gaining compensation for a work injury. It is especially important to use an experienced solicitor so you don’t damage your work relationship with your employer. With legal advice and a professional to handle negotiations, you can take care of yourself and your job.
