I was recently involved in a car accident. Unfortunately, since it was my first accident, I was scatter-brained and anxious. What I did not realize at the time was that the actions you take immediately after the accident can affect a personal injury case and the outcome of that case. I wanted to find a way to share my experiences and mistakes with other. Since the Internet is so popular, I figured this would be a great way to do so. While you likely aren't planning on being in an accident soon, if you are, hopefully you remember some of the tips I share on this website.
Yvonne Russell
If you've been injured at work and have seen your first pieces of paperwork for workers compensation, now is the time to consider what else could be at stake. If the injury is enough to put you out of work for a while, think about what lingering damage could be done; it could last longer than you think and become worse when you least expect it. A few personal injury examination angles can help you understand what could affect your life after the injury and if you need to seek additional compensation.
Examine Your Performance Changes
An injury that doesn't completely disable the victim is a difficult, often confusing circumstance to figure out. Either immediately after the incident or after a few days of recovery, the person may return to the job for normal tasks, but have they really recovered? This situation happens to many injured workers, and you need to apply the question to your day-to-day activities.
As you return to work or consider returning to work, pay close attention to the way you get things done. Does it hurt to work, or do you seem more tense or restricted than usual? Continuing pain isn't just a burden to suffer through; your body is telling you that something is wrong and it may get worse.
You'll want to catch the lingering pain problems or inability to perform as early as possible. Something could have been missed during your first medical examination that could further complicate your life as the years go by.
In some cases, if you wait too long to appeal a workers compensation system, your future injuries and complications may not be easily linked to the original injury. Any accident that happens later could be to blame, which can make compensation demands more difficult.
Put your performance in writing and report to medical professionals as soon as possible. It's reasonable to believe that pain can linger for a month or two after an injury, but if half a year or more passes or if extreme pain persists, it's time to stop before you make things worse--physically and financially.
Weigh Transfer Options
Your old job may not be feasible with your injuries. Begin thinking of what to do next in order to secure your financial future; it may include sticking with your company if you plan well enough.
There may be other positions within your company that need your expertise without as much of a physical burden. If you're part of a larger corporation, such opportunities may exist beyond your local work group or could be arranged by corporate-level leaders.
If you need to leave your company because of the injury, make sure that job rehabilitation is part of your compensation. You shouldn't have to enter the job market with no new skills and an injury; either get help with programs such as workers compensation vocational rehabilitation in certain states (sometimes handled by the Unemployment Insurance system) or by requesting college tuition funding.
Get in contact with a firm, such as The Law Firm of Fitzgerald, Reese & Van Dyne, Co., to plan compensation negotiations.