Suffering an injury at work can be painful both physically and mentally. In the aftermath, it is vital to follow these steps to ensure you receive the best possible treatment.
Seek Medical Advice
After any type of injury, it is vital to
get a full health check up to ensure you have no hidden damage. It is possible
that, in some cases, injuries may not became apparent until a significant
length of time afterwards. As well as physical injuries, the shock
from an accident can have a major impact on your body. A clinician will also be
able to assess if you require time off work.
Write it Down
It is important to write a full statement
about what exactly happened to you. If you slipped on a wet floor, was there a
sign advising you to be careful? Were there any witnesses? What time did it
happen and where exactly? Was a first aider available to check you over? A
detailed record of your incident and resulting injuries is very important. This
may even be able to support your employer in preventing
similar incidents in the future.
Seek Legal Advice
Your employer may be incredibly supportive after your injury at work and follow correct procedure. However, this is not always the case. If you find yourself feeling less than pleased with the way you have been treated, why not speak to a professional about it? Padua Law Firm, for example, offers the help of a personal injury lawyer to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome.
Meet with Your Employer
Prior to returning to work, whether you have been off for a day, a week or a month, having a meeting with your employer is important. If you feel the reception will be frosty, take a union representative or a partner along with you. Not only will they be able to ask questions that you might forget or hesitate over, they will increase your confidence levels.
Having said that, it is important not to fear the worst. Your employer may be incredibly supportive and want to ensure that your return to work is as smooth as possible.
Request a Risk Assessment
If you have sustained an injury, which may make certain aspects of your work life more challenging, a risk assessment would be a great idea. This will allow you and a member of the senior management team of your employer to formulate a plan of action to show that you have considered areas where you may face complications.
For example, if you are now struggling to sit down at your desk for long periods of time because of a back injury, would it be possible to install a standing desk in your office? Alternatively, perhaps you need a new chair to take your injuries into account. Do not think that this will show your inability to carry out your job.
Quite the opposite, in fact, this will prove that you are being proactive about completing work tasks to the best of your ability and not letting your pain stop you from doing so.
