No one wants to get a serious injury. And we especially don’t want this to happen at work. Employers hold a legal obligation to ensure their workplace follows all health and safety procedures. A workplace injury could put you out of the job for a while, or even cause long term damage.
If you’ve experienced a serious injury at work, you might not be sure what to do next. There are a number of options and you’ll need to ensure you get all the facts. Here’s what you should know about being injured at work.
Legal funding
If you decide to sue your employer, legal funding might be necessary. But not many people are sure how legal funding works. It might seem like a bit of a complicated process.
Legal funding helps if you find yourself struggling financially after your injury; being unable to work but still having bills to pay. It provides you with cash during your legal procedure, before your settlement has come through. So, if this sounds like something you may benefit from, do some research.
Speaking to HR
Before you start thinking about legal procedures, though, it’s important to speak to someone in HR. Suing an employer can be a complicated and stressful process, and you may be able to settle this among yourselves without involving attorneys.
Alternatively, even if you know you are going to sue, you will still need to report your injury with HR. They will need to know if equipment is faulty or there is a health and safety hazard in the workplace.
Speaking to HR might seem a little daunting if you’re very upset and stressed by the situation, but the HR department is there to help you. A good HR department should be sympathetic, understanding and able to accommodate your needs.
Disability benefits
If your injury leads to a long-term disability, you may be able to claim disability benefits. But how do you claim them? You will need to register as disabled and you will have an assessment conducted.
After the assessment, you will find out what you are entitled to. It’s important to be aware that the process can be quite time consuming, so you have to take this into account and be patient, ensuring you fill in everything accurately the first time around so that the process is not stalled further.
Legal funding or other financial aids may be needed in the time being.
Returning to work
If you recover from your injury and want to return to your workplace, there are several things that you will need to know. You will need to speak to HR about any adjustments they may need to make, especially if you need to use a wheelchair or have additional requirements. You may also be able to get therapy provided through your employer.
Make sure you get what you need and deserve.
