How to Respond in a Workplace Injury Incident

Step 1: Get Medical Support

If you suffer any kind of injury at the workplace while on duty, the first thing you should do is procure medical assistance. It is your responsibility to take all practical steps to seek medical treatment for your injury without any delay. Doing so establishes you as a reasonable individual and strengthens your case for compensation against your employer or the insurance company. Make sure that you keep a well-organised file containing all your medical reports and receipts of medication and tests. Law firms like Rockford Illinois DUI Accident Lawyerswill use these records to submit a valid claim for your injury.

Step 2: Collect Evidence

Once you are assured of your safety through timely medical treatment, you should set about the task of collecting as much evidence as you can which can support your position in a court. The medical records and test reports as well as the doctor’s assessment will constitute the first line of defence against the employer’s rejection of any responsibility. After this, you should also recall any eyewitnesses who were present at the time of the accident and give their names to your lawyer. They will contact those witnesses and record their testimonies for building a strong argument in support of your claim.

Step 3: Draft Your Claim

After your lawyer has all the information and evidence relating to the injury, you need to sit down with them and discuss the amount of compensation that you should claim. To have a stronger chance of succeeding with your claim, you must ensure that you request a compensation amount which is fair in relation to the cost of injury and other losses you may have sustained because of it. This includes the cost of consultation, medical tests and procedures, and hospitalization. In addition, you can also include any costs relating to psychological and emotional stress and loss on income due to the injury.

Step 4: Approach the Insurance Company

The next step is to approach the insurance company and adjusters to establish the responsibility of the employer for the injury. This is the most challenging step of the entire process because insurance companies are highly experienced in fielding such claims and have well-trained lawyers whose goal is to minimize the liability of their clients, i.e. your employer. Working with a professional law firm such as Rockford Illinois DUI Accident Lawyerscan be extremely beneficial because they are aware of all the tricks insurance companies use to evade any responsibility for the claim filed by you.

Step 5: Begin Negotiations

The final step is to enter into negotiations with your employer through the insurance company. Sometimes, the negotiations will be successful and you will settle on a smaller amount without going to the courts. This is a preferable option since it saves a lot of time. However, if negotiations fail, you and your lawyer will proceed to the courts to argue your claim before a judge. Always communication openly with your Rockford Illinois DUI Accident Lawyersto help them present your case strongly in the court.