Under US law, a work injury can be classified as “an event or exposure at the workplace that contributed to or resulted in an injury or illness.” Over a million accidents occur in the workplace every year.
Employers in the US can be held responsible for such accidents. Workers are eligible for compensation to cover the costs of their treatment and recovery. Being aware of the common types of workers’ compensation benefits can help you understand your eligibility and the compensation you’re eligible to.
How to support yourself after an injury at work
Workplace injuries can be painful and expensive to deal with. It is important to be kind to yourself in such trying circumstances. Here are a few steps you can follow to support yourself after a work injury.
File a report
The first thing you should do after a workplace injury is report your accident to your employer. Typically, their insurance will cover the cost of your treatment. Most states have a time limit for filing a report. Failing to do so could result in losing your right to compensation. So be sure to file your report ASAP!
Hire a lawyer
The next thing you should do is hire a lawyer who specializes in worker’s compensation. The law around compensation can get complicated, and it can be difficult for an average citizen to file for compensation without the appropriate legal assistance. A lawyer will be able to walk you through the process of filing a claim, collecting the necessary evidence, and ensuring that you receive the right amount of compensation.
Reach out to loved ones
Dealing with an injury can be difficult for most people. Instead of trying to get through it all on your own, reach out to friends and family and ask for their support. Maybe they could help with household chores till you recover or drive you to doctor’s appointments. Perhaps a friend could make your meals for you. Sometimes, just having someone to confide in can be a huge relief.
Focus on your recovery
It is essential to focus on recovering from your injuries. This could include making sure you go to all your doctor’s appointments and follow their instructions. This not only affects the healing process but also your worker’s compensation claim. You may end up with long-term injuries if you don’t follow the doctor’s instructions, or your worker’s compensation could be reduced because you failed to get the appropriate treatment.
Talk to your employer
You should talk to your employer about taking time off if the injury is severe or discuss alternate responsibilities at work if you can still work. This could include a lighter workload or a different set of tasks. You could also be trained to take on a different job at work.
For example, if an injury prevents you from loading groceries at a supermarket like before, you could be retrained as a supervisor or grocery store clerk.
Reskilling
There are government programs that help workers find work after an injury. These programs can help you reskill yourself in a suitable field and help you through the job search process. This could look like an intensive course that teaches you a new skill, like coding, followed by guidance on building an online profile and networking with recruiters to find a job. They could also have partnerships with local companies to help workers who have been affected by severe injuries.
Conclusion
Workplace injuries can be life-altering. Being aware of the options available can help ease the transition. Be sure to report your injury to your employer on time, hire a good lawyer to support you through the worker’s compensation claim, and find a suitable program to help you return to work.
