Compensation law is in place to ensure you are properly compensated if you are injured at work. However, in some cases you may end up with less compensation than you hoped for. The primary reason for receiving a reduced payout is because you did not follow the correct steps after sustaining the injury and therefore damaged your case for compensation. Below is a guide to 3 actions you should take if you injure yourself at work.

Seek immediate medical attention

Any benefit or compensation you received as a result of a workplace injury will be based upon the result of medical examinations. If your employer disputes any aspect of your injury claim, it is vital that you have medical records which have been produced by an impartial medical professional. 

The pain and damage caused by a workplace accident can take some time to become apparent, so even if you do not think you have seriously injured yourself, you should still see a doctor immediately. A physician will be able to carry out a full assessment of your health, documenting any injuries and treatments and medications they have prescribed. Your employer may suggest you see a doctor employed by the company. While you should do this, it is always important to get a second option to rule out any potential bias.

Make an injury report as soon as possible

If you suffer an injury at work, it is important that you inform your employer immediately. If you do not tell your employer immediately and instead report the incident days or weeks later, this can significantly reduce the chance that you will be successful in your claim for compensation. Firstly, if there is no official record of the accident, your employer may dispute when and where the incident occurred. They may also suggest that you did not report the incident because it was not severe or because no injury occurred. Once you had made an injury report, it is important you ensure that any visible wounds are photographed and recorded.

Instruct a compensation lawyer to act on your behalf

If you need to argue your case in court, you will have two choices: you can represent yourself or instruct a lawyer to act on your behalf. Because compensation law can be complex, you should always hire a compensation lawyer to represent you in court. If you would like to find out more about compensation law, contact a compensation lawyer today.