Key Things To Remember Legally When You Have A Personal Injury At Work
Finding the right kind of work-life balance is an essential part of our personal life, but unfortunately there might be instances where a personal injury at work might not be avoided. It is important in these circumstances that we understand what exactly we should know in a legal sense should we experience a personal injury at work.
Personal Injury At Work: Things To Remember
We have to understand that while it’s just as important to recover from any personal injuries we’ve suffered, it’s also essential that we get properly compensated for damages we’ve suffered in an encounter. This is why people take personal injuries at work to court. However, one should first understand a few things legally if you do experience a personal injury at work. This is especially if you want to want to receive compensation for injuries you’ve suffered.
- Check your lawyer’s credentials. This might be the most important step when it comes to your personal injury case, as your lawyer has to be experienced when it comes to handling cases like yours. Having to deal with the injury itself can be a stressful endeavor, which means your lawyer should hopefully be able to assist you in the legal matters involved when it comes to securing appropriate compensation.
- Check the nature of the personal injury. It’s always important to try to be aware of the circumstances surrounding your personal injury. If you can keep a journal of the events that happened since then, it might be helpful to keep track of what’s happened without forgetting important details. Your legal counsel may be able to use this to strengthen your case as well.
- Check if the party involved is willing to settle. This is usually done by your lawyer, but you have to assess your situation when it comes to compensation. If the other party’s lawyer approached yours and asked if you’re willing to settle, this might take a lot of load off both parties as you don’t have to take your case to the court anymore. Again, the best decision towards this matter depends on your circumstances, and the advice of your legal counsel.
- Check previous accidents, and if you’ve had injuries after your accident. If you do want to take your case to court, chances are there will be an insurance adjuster that will try to deny your claims.
- It’s important that you assess if you’ve had previous accidents, as the adjuster may say your personal injury may be related to a previous injury, and not the incident in question.
- It’s important you check if you’ve had injuries after the incident, as the opposing counsel may dispute your claim by saying you’re just attempting to get compensation for other injuries that aren’t related to the claim you’ve filed.
- Check if you’ve filed for divorce. This might be a bit personal for some, but it’s also important for you to recall if you’ve filed for divorce, as this can affect the damages you may recover. If your spouse has been supporting you after you’ve experienced the injury, they may be entitled to part of the compensation you can receive.
- Check if you’ve filed for bankruptcy. Likewise, it’s essential to check if you’ve also filed for bankruptcy. If you do get compensation for damages, but if you’ve filed for bankruptcy, the estate may get the settlement. If you have a lawyer with you, they may be able to at least secure a portion of it for you.
- Check your criminal history. In a lot of cases, your previous felonies and misdemeanors may have little effect to your case. However, the opposing party or the insurance company may run a background check on you, so it’s essential that your lawyer is aware of your background.
Much of these items above involve a legal professional such as a lawyer, as they have training to handle cases like these. After all, getting compensation for a personal injury at work can be stressful for both you and the parties involved. The better you understand your situation, however, the clearer your next steps can become.
Do remember, however, that these tips are not to be taken as strict legal advice. It’s important to remember that it’s still best to consult with a legal expert, especially since your state of residence may have different laws involved when it comes to personal injuries.
The tips above would hopefully give you a better idea on some key things to remember legally when you have a personal injury at work. Should you have any need for clarifications for a specific situation, feel free to seek the legal support of an attorney familiar with work injuries. After all, being knowledgeable about our work in a legal sense is a good way to make sure our rights as employees are maintained and protected.
Disclaimer: This article should not be treated as legal advice. It’s recommended that readers still consult legal counsel and contact a lawyer should they have any concerns regarding this topic.
Jewel Spencer
