Many work accident victims are reluctant to do much investigating into what their rights are, mostly because they’re worried about biting the hand that feeds them, so to speak. But in reality, they need to find out what can be done so that no other employee goes through something similar. That could mean hiring an Austin work injury law firm, like Fears Nachawati, to represent them in a claim against your employer.
Companies must provide a safe work environment for their employees, and they have to follow reasonable safety guidelines. When they fail to follow those parameters, and employers aren’t in a healthy work environment, then action has to be taken to correct this – whether that comes through litigation or outside of the courts.
What are your rights, though, and what steps should you immediately take if you did get injured on the job?
Employee’s Rights After a Workplace Injury
Understand that different states have different workers’ compensation laws, but for the most part, the following holds true in all 50 states.
Seek Medical Treatment: This should be done as soon as possible, and make sure you report your injury to your employer immediately.
File a Claim: You have the right to file a claim in court against your employer for an illness or injury caused at work.
Seek Legal Representation: You have the right to be represented by an Austin work injury law firm, who will already be familiar with worker safety laws in your state.
Disability Compensation: If you can’t return to work because of the illness or injury, you have a right to be legally compensated. Your disability could be temporary or permanent, but you should be able to receive compensation either way.
Return to Your Job: If your doctor releases you to go back to work, you should be able to go back to the job you previously had without penalty or changes.
Right to Appeal: You might still disagree with a decision made by your employer, their insurance company or even the workers’ compensation court that hears your case. But you will still have the ability to file an appeal if you wish, and a good lawyer will help you know if filing an appeal is worth it.
Something many people fear is that their employer will react negatively and harass them if they file a workers’compensation claim for an injury that occurred in the workplace. This isn’t something to be concerned about because it’s illegal, and the penalties imposed on any employer that does such actions are severe.
Understand your rights if you have been injured at work and know that the law is on your side to make sure you–and your co-workers–are always working in a safe environment.