Getting injured on the job causes several different emotions inside us. We feel bad because we want to help our employer, and this could take time away from us working. We feel mad because we likely shouldn’t have been injured, and the company should have corrected the situation before we got hurt. We feel guilty for theoretically biting the hand that feeds us. We feel sad because we enjoy our job, and this could be an incident that changes those feelings.
As a Houston work injury law firm, Fears Nachawati are very familiar with all of these competing emotions you’re having, and we’ll help you understand what your next steps should be.
No matter how we feel, we have to take care of ourselves and our family, and a person injured on the job has very specific legal rights the government has set up to protect employees.
Injured on the Job: What Are My Rights?
Remember that you need to come forward about the incident as soon as possible so that you aren’t injured again, and so no one else gets injured.
A Right to Medical Treatment
Any injury should be looked at by a physician, preferably one that’s covered by your insurance company. It’s important to go as soon as possible in order to keep the injury from getting worse, and to help you get back to 100 percent as soon as possible.
A Right to File a Claim
Filing a claim for worker’s compensation is a right not to be delayed, so that it can help you pay for medical care, wage replacement and even rehabilitation. Different states have different procedures, but you’ll need to inform your employer immediately. Your employer will have claim forms to fill out.
Even if you didn’t file immediately after the injury, you can still file a claim, but it’s better if it’s right after the injury.
A Right to Legal Representation
Hiring an attorney is the smartest way to make sure you don’t make any missteps when filing claims. Fears Nachawati is a Houston work injury law firm, but we also have offices across the state of Texas, in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio, as well as in Denver and Tampa. Let us help you file your claim.
A Right to Return To Your Job
If your physician decides you are able to return to work – then you should be able to return to your job as if you never left it. You can’t be punished for coming forth about being injured on the job.
A Right to Disability Compensation
If you’ve been injured at work, and you are unable to get back to work because of that injury or an illness caused by work, then you deserve to be paid for that problem. You have a right to some type of disability compensation, and a work injury attorney will help you determine what compensation you should make a claim for.
A Right to Appeal Any Decision Made By Employer, Insurance or Worker’s Compensation Court
Once you go through worker’s compensation court, and a decision has been handed down as to the amount, if any, of your compensation, you have the right to appeal that decision.
Get a Houston work injury law firm like Fears Nachawati on your side early on, so they can help you every step of the way. No one wants to get injured on the job, but when it happens, you’re fragile both physically and emotionally, and an attorney can help you take the right steps going forward, to help take care of your family.