by Homerun Nievera, Negosentro.com |
If you’re injured whilst working, you need to know how your injury and subsequent actions can affect your future. It’s not always so simple as falling on your way to the break room or as you walk back to your desk from the toilet. It also isn’t the case that getting injured on the job automatically entitles you to a certain amount of money as a consequence. Life is rarely so simple as to provide us with easy answers to much of anything, but studying up on the situation can help prepare you for the next steps you should take when an office injury threatens your ability to earn a living.
Know Who Is Liable
One big thing that needs to be kept in mind is the nature of your injury. A great many office injuries come about as a result of circumstances beyond your control, but if you failed to take the appropriate or required safety measures that your employer normally required and that could have easily prevented your injury when performing a certain action, the question of liability might get murky. If liability is even the slightest bit in doubt, your ability to get enough compensation to cover lost income, legal fees and medical expenses could wind up endangered.
A Resolution Won’t Be Quick in Coming
You also need to remember that filing an office injury claim will not usually result in an immediate outcome. Negotiations might take place between your solicitor and your employer, resulting in a financial settlement that allows both parties the face-saving option of avoiding a trial in court. Your employer’s insurance position need also be considered, as they will have planned for the possibility of employee injury and could even argue that upon assuming your duties, you knowingly assumed the risk for whatever might befall you whilst performing those duties.
Of course, just because there are certain required safety measures at your place of work doesn’t absolve your employer of responsibility. That’s important to remember, too. Employers have to ensure a safe work environment, and it is entirely possible that an injury they claim was caused by your carelessness was in fact brought about due to their own. Above all, you need to be aware of the rights you have regardless of the circumstances that led to your injury. Paying a visit to www.russellworthsolicitors.co.uk can be of immense help if you’re unsure just what you’re entitled to in the event of an office injury.
Representation Doesn’t Come Free
Finally, remember that hiring a lawyer costs money, and that your solicitor will be entitled to take a share of any compensation you receive as a result of a claim. As it’s your money they’ll be earning, you should take as an active interest as possible in your case. If offered a settlement, your lawyer can help you determine if accepting that would better than going to trial, but the final decision will always be up to you. If you feel you can and should get more, then by all means, try to do that. Do keep in mind, though, that this may end up being more trouble than its worth.
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BONUS VIDEO: Office Injury Prevention Safety Training Video
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Homerun Nievera is a serial techpreneur, digital marketer and professional speaker.
Apart from managing tech enterprises, Homerun is the publisher of a blogazine network that delivers niche content to its audience.
He also a Certified Distance Educator from the University of the Philippines and has launched Edusentro.com with the objective of bringing free education to under-served areas everywhere.
As a blogger, Homerun writes across various topics but looks into techpreneruship as his main course.
He seeks to help entrepreneurs build their digital presence and make a difference. Follow Homerun on Twitter @bnievera
