Injury at Work: Know Your Rights

injury at work payson“Injury” is a comprehensive legal term that means harm done on an individual’s body, property, reputation, or rights by another person. Injury may also mean a breach of contract or duty that leads to a person suffering the above consequences. It may also be the result of negligence or omission on the part of the offending party.

An injured person may collect damages from the person who is found to be at fault for causing the wrong or hurt. This is the right of every individual.

Injuries at work

People get hurt at work more often than you think. In 2014 alone, almost three million employees got hurt or sick at work. According to the statistics, the injuries or illnesses happened to 3.2 for every 100 full-time employees.

Although the data show the manufacturing industry to have a higher incidence of injuries at work, you cannot discount the fact that almost all other industries reported non-fatal cases, as well. Everyone is at risk, but sadly, not everyone knows what to do when it happens, and many more are taken advantage of by unfair work practices or insurance policies.

How to protect yourself

Safe practices should be part of your work culture. These include attending seminars and training sessions to help you avoid risks. They also include personal protective equipment and others supplied by your employer.

If you are injured at work, know that you have the right to collect damages from the company and/or the people at fault. A personal injury attorney can best explain how to deal with your situation. They can also represent you so that those responsible will be held accountable. As the personal injury attorney of Mtnebolaw.com says, injured parties may seek compensation.

The first thing you have to do, however, is to inform your employer if they are not aware of your injury. Do this as soon as you can, as the law in many states gives a deadline between the injury and informing the employer. Your lawyer will help you file a claim with the concerned courts in your area. There are also cases in which the employer is held accountable for an illness suffered by their employee or employees.

The more you know about your rights, the less likely you are to fall victim to the machinations of unscrupulous employers or insurance companies.