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Last Updated on August 17, 2020 by Work In My Pajamas
Employers are very keen to ensure they have the right health and safety measures in place; after all, no one wants to have an accident happen to their employees (or members of the public). However, even with the best measures in place, accidents can still sometimes happen and when they do they can be life changing for those involved. In some cases, those injured may no longer be able to work.
If you have been injured in a workplace accident and you can’t work anymore, what can you do? It may feel hopeless, but there are steps you can take that will help you. Read on to find out more.
In This Post:
Get a Lawyer
If you feel there is a case for suing for compensation, hiring a good lawyer is going to be essential. Even if you’re not sure whether or not you have a case, a lawyer will be able to let you know, so it’s always worth asking the question. Personal injury solicitors will have plenty of experience in this field, and they will be able to determine what constitutes a case and what doesn’t.
If you can no longer work after being injured, filing a claim is even more important. You may be able to receive the money you would have been earning if you were still working, and this can make life much easier for you and your loved ones.
If you are intending to claim for anything after an injury, you must seek advice from specialists in order to get all the steps right and not make any mistakes. This can be a difficult time, so ensure you have someone to support you through it too.
Apply for Benefits
Assuming you live in a country that offers benefits to those who cannot work, you will need to apply for these as soon as you can. Depending on your country or even your state, you might find that the rules are different and the amounts you can claim for are different too. Regardless of this, you should still make a claim to help you. The money you receive will enable you to continue paying your bills and even if it’s not as much as you would have received if you continued to work,
You may also be able to claim on your insurance at this point. You should read the terms and conditions of your life insurance policy as there may be a reference to being able to pay out, at least partially, should any kind of accident occur that means you can no longer work. This will depend on the policy you took out, but it’s best to check to be sure as otherwise you might miss out on something you are entitled to.
Speak to Your Employer
There are all kinds of options that may be open to you after an accident that means you can no longer work. The first thing you should do if you are still keen to work in your old place of employment is to speak to your employer. Explain to them what you are able to do and what isn’t possible, and try to work out a plan to help you return to work if that is what you want. Accidents can happen anywhere, and yours might not be a result of your workplace falling short in terms of health and safety, and in this case you might well want to return.
Options that could be available to you include part time work, flexible working, working from home, or undergoing training for a new position within the same company. Until you have this important discussion, you aren’t going to know for sure, so make it a priority.
