Safety statistics demonstrate that every year, millions of American workers get hurt while on the job. Many of these are minor scrapes that just require basic first aid, but other injuries can be life-changing in the moments following a serious accident. Most people’s thoughts are not on the future; they’re more concerned with immediate concerns. However, what a worker does in the hours and days after an accident can have serious implications.
This article explores how workers can safeguard their rights after a workplace accident.
What Counts as a Serious Workplace Accident
A serious workplace accident is an injury that involves one or more of the following:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Deep lacerations
- Severe burns
- Anything that puts someone in the hospital
In the construction industry, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, falls from heights are one of the leading causes of death. Also, machinery accidents and chemical exposure are huge risks, with thousands of serious incidents every year.
Roadway and Commercial Vehicle Accidents at Work
Some of the most dangerous workplace incidents happen on public roads rather than inside a building. For example, delivery drivers, truckers, or ride-share workers spend their entire shift behind the wheel, putting them at a much higher risk than someone working in an office. In certain crashes, the legal situation looks more complicated. For example, if a commercial truck is involved, several parties may share legal responsibility. In this situation, the following parties could be liable:
- The trucking company
- The cargo loader
- The vehicle manufacturer
Such cases often involve dealing with federal regulations. Workers injured in these crashes may sometimes need legal guidance beyond what their employer’s insurance will offer. Firms focusing on commercial vehicle injury cases, such as the team behind DM Injury Law truck accident attorneys, can help injured workers understand whether they may have grounds for a truck accident claim outside of the standard workers’ compensation system.
What Employees Should Do Right After an Injury
Of course, medical care comes first. After an injury, workers should immediately get medical attention, going to the emergency room if necessary. After being given the all-clear to leave the hospital, workers should report the incident to a supervisor in writing, creating a paper trail that will protect the worker later on.
In most states, workers are obligated to report job injuries within a set window, often as few as 30 days, and failing to do so means they’re risking losing benefits altogether. Filing a workers’ compensation claim is the next step. Workers’ compensation covers both medical expenses and a certain percentage of lost wages, and it prevents the employee from suing their employer directly.
Where to Find Reliable Information
The U.S. Department of Labor and state labor departments publish free guides explaining workers’ rights in conversational English. In most hospitals, social workers are available and can point patients toward local resources that can help them take the right steps for their recovery and rehabilitation during the recovery period. After an injury, medical bills and missed paychecks will start piling up, so it’s important to take the right steps to safeguard your finances.
If you’re interested in learning more about similar topics relating to safety, see our other blog posts.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
