Hiring a lawyer when you are injured at work might sound like an incredibly serious decision to make – and conjures up images of Hollywood court dramas or decades-long litigation suits.
You might be nervous that it would send the wrong message to your boss – essentially accusing them of wrongdoing before you’ve even worked out what went wrong.
Thankfully, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, hiring a lawyer is simply a best practice you can take to defend your rights, ascertain whether you are entitled to compensation or a lawsuit, work out whether there was anything your employer could have done differently to prevent the injury, and help prevent you from making emotionally led decisions that can spring up during such intense experiences.
Although you might think hiring a lawyer is an expense you could do without, it could actually be a wise financial decision. If you are entitled to compensation or paid leave following an injury, then a lawyer is your best chance of finding out.
This is why you should consider hiring a lawyer if you are injured:
It helps you assess whether you are entitled to compensation
Arguably, the most vital reason you should hire a lawyer if you have been injured at work is because they can help you determine if you are entitled to compensation.
Being injured at work is a confusing and complicated experience. Not only does the actual incident happen in the blink of an eye, but it quickly becomes your word versus everyone else’s. It can be difficult to work out whether you have remembered the accident correctly or if you have been swept up in the emotion of the situation.
What’s more, your boss may deny that there was anything wrong with the area where you were injured – when you are in the right. This seed of doubt is difficult to overcome alone, whereas a seasoned law firm – such as Stevenson & Murray – can quickly get to the heart of the issue.
Of course, if you are entitled to compensation, hiring a lawyer could be a life-changing decision. Without it, you may find yourself off work without pay for weeks or even months rather than being comfortable with the compensation you are entitled to.
They can defend your rights
The most obvious benefit of hiring a lawyer is that they can defend your rights. The law is a complex system that everyday people have little understanding of. Although we might understand our basic human rights, it is unlikely that you will have a thorough grasp of the law in your specific industry.
It could be that you have rights you did not previously know about or that your boss failed to train you correctly. Because you have taken this situation as normal, you may not realize that they have broken the law, and you have the right to defend.
Lawyers can determine who was at fault for your injury
When you injure yourself at work, it can be easy to fall into a finger-pointing game between you, your boss, and even your colleagues. When you have sustained painful injuries, it can be easy to be swept up into a particular narrative – that either you are at fault or someone else is.
Given that the incident will have happened quickly – with little evidence pointing either way – it can be tricky to determine who is at fault and come to an agreement about it.
A lawyer can mediate between all parties involved, compiling evidence and other information and ensuring that everyone feels heard.
Not only does this help prevent misgivings between you and your employer, but it also helps speed the process along. The faster you conclude, the faster everyone can get on with their lives.
They will help prevent you from making emotionally led decisions
Lastly, lawyers can act as experienced advisors you can consult when you feel confused or upset about the situation.
They have likely handled countless cases like yours and understand the right and wrong moves. While you will experience a rollercoaster of emotions, they can be there to tell you exactly how to act.
It can be all too easy to make an impulsive decision when you are in pain and shock, but having a lawyer there to act as an intermediary can prevent you from making silly mistakes when you are at your most vulnerable.
