An injury in the workplace, an illness that developed in the line of work, and similar issues can make you eligible for personal injury compensation. Depending on the injury, the liability of the employer, and some other circumstances, you might receive a hefty sum. Now, the consequences of an injury will definitely put you at a disadvantage and it is this compensation that is aimed to mitigate the effects. So, here are the top 10 easy tips to maximize your personal injury compensation.
1. Get and keep records
The first thing you need to do is get your hands on an accident report as soon as possible. If you’re not able to do so yourself, it’s a good idea to give this task to someone you trust. Other than this, you need to make several copies (in order to minimize the likelihood of the injury), as well as make sure that you keep it in digital format (after scanning). Uploading it to your cloud storage is the way to go.
2. Go straight to the doctor
The second thing you need is to go straight to the doctor. Their report will be instrumental in accessing the injury and proving when the injury actually took place. Going to the doctor’s office five days later will not be as indicative, seeing as how you might have sustained an injury at any point before or after work. Also, if there are any long-term effects of the injury, you should go to the specialist and get their assessment/report.
3. Don’t wait to act
Waiting for too long to submit your injury compensation claim is usually a bad idea. You see, if you need witnesses, the longer it takes, the more the memory of people who were present will deteriorate. Human memory is an imperfect thing, which means that there’s a lot of room for misinterpretation and mistakes of every kind. Also, from a legal standpoint, acting in a timely manner makes you seem more concerned and more serious.
4. Contact legal experts right away
Finding professional personal injury lawyers to work with is your top priority. They can give you some pointers in regards to gathering evidence and talking to witnesses without getting accused of putting pressure on them. Legal experts are also aware of various negotiation techniques and can advise you on how to act in certain scenarios. The sooner you contact them, the better, seeing as how they will be able to follow the entire process.
5. Don’t jump on the first offer
Chances are that your employer will make an initial proposition. The thing is that while they may be concerned for your wellbeing, they’re probably concerned for their business far more. Some of the more severe injuries, especially if you can prove that they occurred due to their negligence or lack of care, can be incredibly expensive. In other words, chances are that they’re trying to minimize their own costs.
6. Think about the future
Another thing you need to worry about is your own future. How many workdays have you missed due to the injury? Are you ever going to fully recover? What about psychological trauma? You need to think about your own future and the compensation that you receive is supposed to help you do just that. Other than this, the compensation also acts as a warning to your employer. In other words, it makes the likelihood that the same thing will happen to someone else a bit lower. In a way, you can even help improve their company culture.
7. Prepare your case
Another thing you need to do is prepare the case properly. Gather the evidence, talk to eyewitnesses and try to put your own feelings regarding the incident on the paper. Have you ever read The Trial by Franz Kafka? The main character made a tragic mistake of believing that his own innocence/being in the right is enough to protect him in the eyes of the law. Sadly, this was not the case. So, in order to avoid this same fate, you need to be prepared.
8. Prepare for the pressure
A lot of people are filing claims for the injury from the employer that they’re currently working for. This means that in the coming months, you might find yourself under quite a bit of pressure. Sure, all of this can be described as mobbing and it gives you one more reason to endure until the end but, psychologically, it’s not to endure. So, make sure that you’re ready for the struggle or as ready as you can be.
9. Try to be respectful and considerate
One of the things you need to understand is the importance of being respectful and considerate at all times. You’re not asking for charity and you’re not demanding a tribute – you’re merely asking for what is yours. Keep in mind that these things are personal and quite touchy by their very nature. So, avoid becoming too emotional and (in the heat of passion) saying something that can later be misinterpreted.
10. Don’t talk around
Keep in mind that until things are over, you might want to stay quiet about the matter. Don’t talk around about the injury, don’t share details on social media, and definitely don’t throw wild accusations in the public. Keep in mind that there’s a time and place where all of this will be determined. All that this can achieve is antagonize the other party, which is something you want to avoid.
In conclusion
Remember that even if you are 100% in the right, you need to prove it, start the legal process and be ready for the compromise. In other words, you have a lot to do and these ten tips can be of help. Luck is a scenario in.
