If you recently sustained workplace injuries or contracted a work-related illness, you have the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Under Australian law, you are entitled to compensation if you suffered an injury or illness during your employment. Workers’ compensation benefits may be in the form of payment for lost wages, medical expenses, and permanent disability or death.
However, you must have adequate evidence to prove that you sustained injuries at the workplace due to the employer’s negligence. You may not be compensated if you fail to provide solid evidence for your claim.
You can strengthen your workers’ compensation case by:
- Hiring A Lawyer Specializing In Workers’ Compensation
Working with a lawyer with expertise and experience in workers’ compensation is a must if you want to get the best deal on your case. There are many reasons why you would want to reach out to a compensation lawyer when filing a worker’s compensation case.
- Expert Advice
An experienced lawyer will help you navigate the complexities of a workers’ compensation claim. They’ll advise you on the correct procedures to follow in relation to your case.
- Negotiation Skills
Lawyers who have handled a lot of workers’ compensation cases are highly skilled at negotiations. They can help you get a higher settlement.
- Familiarity With Applicable Laws
Lawyers specializing in workers’ compensation are aware of the strict time limits governing such claims. For instance, in Sydney, Australia, you need to file your claim within six months following the injury. You may not be able to claim compensation for your work-related injury or illness after this time period has elapsed.
Since workers’ compensation laws vary from state to state, it’s best to select a reputable attorney within your locality. Such a person is likely to be thoroughly familiar with the workers’ compensation regulations applicable in your state. You can find more here for further details about workers’ compensation claims.
- Seeking Medical Treatment
It’s critical to get immediate medical attention after your injury. The primary reason for this is to enable you to recover fully and quickly. In addition, having a record of medical treatment serves as crucial evidence because it documents your injuries and consequent physical limitations. The medical certificate issued by the attending doctor, which indicates if you need to take time off work, is another crucial piece of evidence.
It would be more challenging to prove that the injuries were due to an accident at work if you delay going to a doctor for treatment. The respondent may argue that the injury did not happen in the workplace or that the injury was not as severe as you claim.
Also, if you delay seeking medical treatment, your injuries may have started to heal, and it would be difficult to prove the extent of your injuries.
Keep a copy of the medical report, medical certificate, and receipts for medical expenses, as these will be presented as supporting evidence.
- Taking Photos Of The Accident Site
Taking photos of the site where the workplace accident or injury occurred is essential. Pictures of the accident site serve as additional evidence to build your workers’ compensation case.
Aside from a big photo of the accident site and several pictures from different angles, include other areas near the accident scene that contain hazards that may have caused the accident.
In addition, it would be helpful to have photos of your injuries immediately after the accident. Your injuries won’t look the same after medical treatment. After a couple of days, your injuries may begin to heal. So, have a trusted colleague take high-quality photos of the accident site and your physical injuries right after the accident.
- Locating Witnesses
Lastly, you may look for witnesses to strengthen your workers’ compensation claim. There may be people who saw what happened or what caused the accident. Such individuals are also referred to as eyewitnesses.
You may request them to write down what they saw and other important details related to the accident while these are still fresh in their mind. Also, they may be called on to testify to substantiate your claim that the injury was due to a workplace accident.
Takeaway
If you’re injured at the workplace, you might not be able to work for days, weeks, or even months due to physical restrictions. In rare cases, you might even lose your job aside from having to pay huge hospital bills.
You can seek legal remedy for your injuries by filing a workers’ compensation claim. Follow the pointers discussed above to receive compensation commensurate to your injuries.