Accidents happen, but it doesn't always have to be that way. You can avoid getting hurt at work if you do a few simple things. The first is to learn how to fall properly. A good way to learn is to work with a personal trainer or an experienced instructor who knows how to help you improve your balance and posture. They can teach you how to use the right muscles and how to move efficiently. You also need to take regular breaks from your workstation. Standing or sitting for too long can lead to back pain. Taking frequent breaks will help you avoid that.
Work accidents often happen because someone is careless or distracted. If you are injured at work, you should consult with a work injury lawyer. Your employer is legally obligated to provide medical care for you and to compensate you for lost wages. You have a better chance of recovering if you have an attorney who can guide you through the legal process.
A good personal injury lawyer will also be able to tell you how to protect yourself in the future. You need to know where to look to make sure you stay safe. For instance, you should never drink and drive. If you are involved in a car crash, you should wear seat belts. You should never run with scissors or use a knife, either.
You should also make sure that your employer is complying with state and federal workplace safety laws. You can file a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to find out if your employer is meeting workplace safety standards. You can also file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to make sure that your employer is providing equal employment opportunities. You can also file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to make sure that your employer isn't committing unfair labor practices.
The person who is responsible for the work injury claim is the employer. Therefore, the employee’s employer is the liable party for the accident and compensation.
However, the employer is only liable for accidents that are covered under workers compensation. If the injury is caused by the employee’s own negligence, then the employee is personally liable for the costs.
Does the accident need to be reported to the employer?
If the accident is caused by the employee’s own negligence, then the employer will not be held liable. However, the employer must be notified of the accident within 24 hours of its occurrence.
After the accident occurs, the employee needs to report the incident to the employer. In most cases, this will be done in writing. It is important to keep a copy of the written report. The employer should also keep a record of the accident.
The employee should also seek medical attention for the injury. If the injury causes any loss of time from work, the employer should also be made aware of this. The employer is then required to make a lump sum payment to the employee.
However, the payment is not made until a final compensation award is determined. In most cases, this is decided within six months. The payment can be made in weekly, fortnightly or monthly installments.
There are certain circumstances in which the employer can refuse to pay compensation. These include if the injury is caused by the employee’s own negligence.
The maximum amount that the employer can pay for any one accident is $100,000. The minimum is $8,000.
If the employer refuses to pay compensation, the employee can file a civil action. The employee will then have to prove that the injury was caused by the negligence of the employer.
However, if the employer admits to being negligent, then the employee can claim damages up to $300,000. This will cover medical bills and any loss of earnings.
The above are just some of the main points to remember when filing a claim for a work injury. It is therefore important to seek legal advice if you are injured at work.