Injuries that occur at work are often difficult. In addition to the physical pain a person experiences, many employees feel embarrassed by the injury or worry that they will lose their jobs or receive negative performance reviews because of the event. Moreover, injuries received while on the job are governed by workers’ compensation, which has many unique rules and regulations that are often difficult to understand.
When you have been injured at work, you do not deserve to be worried about all these things; you should be able to focus on recovering and getting back on your feet. A San Jose workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate the system appropriately. Call the Valero Law Group today to begin working with a dedicated attorney to learn more.
Common Workplace Safety Issues
Many people assume that workplace injuries can occur only in dangerous jobs, but any workplace environment can lead to an injury. Situations that can frequently lead to employees receiving injuries at work can include:
- Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or stairs
- Slips or trips caused by exposed wires, liquids, or other substances
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Injuries from falling objects
- Car accidents while driving in the scope of employment
- Fires, burns, or electrocution
- Exposure to toxic or harmful chemicals or other substances
- Injuries from lifting or carrying heavy objects
In some instances, these or other injuries that a person receives at work may be caused by a third party other than the injured person’s employer. If so, it may be possible that the injured person needs to file a personal injury lawsuit against the third party rather than a workers’ compensation claim against their employer. In some situations, both options may be available. A San Jose attorney with experience handling workers’ compensation claims can review the details of a situation and advise the injured person as to the options available to them and the relative benefits or drawbacks of each.
What to Do After a Workplace Accident
The actions an employee takes in the immediate aftermath of sustaining an injury at work may have an outsized impact on their ability to recover compensation for the incident. Therefore, knowing the proper steps to take after a workplace injury and following through on those steps is of the utmost importance.
The employee should report the incident to their manager, supervisor, or other representative of their employer as soon as possible. Providing the employer with notice of any potential workers’ compensation claim is required, and any delay could potentially open the door to a denial of the claim.
An injured worker should also seek immediate medical attention. Even if the injury seems minor, the employee should not try to treat or handle the injury on their own. With the adrenaline that often floods after an accident, it is possible that the full severity of the injury is not yet readily ascertainable. Additionally, properly documenting the injury with a medical professional will be helpful to the employee’s claim.
Finally, the injured person should seek help from an attorney as soon as possible. They will need to file a claim and begin the workers’ compensation process in short order to meet all applicable deadlines. A workers’ compensation attorney in San Jose can help make sure the process proceeds in a timely fashion and meets the necessary requirements such that the employee’s rights are preserved.
Contact a Workplace Injury Attorney in San Jose
Recovering compensation for an accident that happens at work can be complicated. Fortunately, an attorney from our firm can help you navigate the workers’ compensation process, manage communications with your employer, and advise whether any claims against a party other than your employer may be available.
You deserve to be made whole after an injury, and a San Jose Workers’ compensation lawyer can help make sure you receive what is fair. Schedule an initial appointment today. You will not owe us anything unless we are able to successfully recover on your behalf.
