Research shows that 2.6 million employees experience non-fatal workplace injuries, and 42,339 people suffer injuries from auto accidents. Accidents can occur suddenly and trigger a whirlwind of emotions, from stress and anger to confusion and fear. These accidents can be increasingly overwhelming if they result in an injury to a loved one, primarily due to someone’s negligence.
The steps you take after an accident and injury can impact your claim.
Five Steps to Take After Sustaining an Injury
Under Florida Law, you must take the following steps:
Step #1: Legally Document Your Injury At Workplace Within 30 Days
After sustaining an injury or noticing signs of an illness, the first step is to inform your manager about the accident as soon as possible.
Remember, you may not be eligible for compensation if you wait too long.
Step #2: Seek Medical Help
If you see any sign of harm or injury, even minor, seek medical treatment instantly. It ensures you receive the medical care to mitigate the risk of hidden injuries causing long-term disabilities.
Besides this, seeking medical attention helps create records that protect you from losing compensation.
Step #3: File a Claim
In case of a workplace injury, you must submit your claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Check out the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation to file your claim immediately after the accident.
Furthermore, fill out a workplace injury report even if your employer encourages you not to. Remember to file your claim within 2 years from the date of the injury. However, if you sustain a bodily injury due to auto accidents, you have a four-year window to file a claim.
Step #4: Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
After filing the claim, you should contact a professional personal injury lawyer. An attorney will hear the details of your accident and help you prepare your case for claims. Here’s how it works:
Collect Information
Your injury lawyer will thoroughly investigate aspects of your accidents to plan how to prove who was at fault. To build a case, the attorney will analyze the accident, sustained injuries, and the site of the accident.
During this, the lawyer will ask you to participate in the investigation. While this may sound like a hassle, remember to follow their direction to get the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Speaking to Eyewitnesses
The personal injury attorney will also interview eyewitnesses to get fact-based information about the event. By getting testimonials, injury lawyers can add value to your case and confirm or deny details.
We recommend writing nearby eyewitnesses’ names, email addresses, and phone numbers to aid your attorney.
Step # 5: Discuss Your Compensation
A proficient personal injury lawyer will take the stress of filing a claim and winning compensation off your shoulder. Talk to your attorney about what you can get compensated for to receive the benefits you deserve.
Typically, workplace or auto-injury includes the following compensations:
- At-home Care
- Disabilities
- Doctor Visits
- Funeral Expenses
- Loss of Companionship
- Lost Wages
- Medical Equipment and Prescription
- Pain and Suffering
- Punitive Damages
Things to Avoid After a Personal Injury
What you say and do after a personal injury can go a long way in helping you win the compensation you deserve. Here are a few don’ts to remember after experiencing an injury:
Don’t Admit Fault for The Injury
Many people’s first reaction in a stressful situation is apologizing. However, admitting any fault can be used against you. Apologizing and admitting fault puts a roadblock in your claim process by twisting statements or taking them out of context.
Don’t Avoid Medical Care
It’s essential to seek medical care regardless of whether you notice injuries. Many injuries and illnesses show symptoms later, so visiting a doctor can help you get an accurate diagnosis. While medical care can be intimidating, don’t avoid it due to medical expenses. Remember to note your costs to get reimbursements once you settle your claim.
Don’t Share Details About Your Injury Case
Avoid discussing intimate details or posting about your accident without an attorney. Failing to do this puts you at risk of defending yourself against your words.
Contrarily, keeping your case details secret can strengthen it.
How Do I Connect With the Right Personal Injury Lawyer?
When seeking a personal injury lawyer to handle your case, you must consider innumerable things. Here are several tips for weeding through them and finding the best ones:
1. Find an Experienced Injury Attorney
Lawyers vary from generalists and specialists, depending on their expertise and experience. We recommend reaching out to a specialized personal injury lawyer. An injury attorney will better understand the laws that apply to your unique case and have experience representing claimants in personal injury cases.
2. Ask for Referrals
Talk to your friends, family members, and coworkers who have had a personal injury case. If they offer a positive review, put the lawyer on your list of candidates. Consequently, you’ll have a starter list of lawyers to review.
3. Check Their Success Rate
Your goal is not to find an attorney with experience in personal injury cases but one who can successfully negotiate settlements.
So, before getting started, ask the attorney for their success rate.
4. Determine Lines of Communication
A personal injury case can take months, and it will have its ups and downs. So, connect with an attorney you’re confident you’ll get along with.
You want to connect with a lawyer who will listen to you, understands you, and has your best interest at heart. If you believe the attorney only wants the money, move on to the next.
The Bottom Line
You must seek an attorney instantly if you or a close one suffered a workplace or auto-injury due to someone else’s negligence. Get in touch with experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorneys in Florida by booking a free consultation. Schedule an appointment with our injury or divorce lawyers to discuss your case and help us help you build a solid case to get compensation for your losses.
Also read: Basics of Successfully Filing a Car Accident Injury Claim
