Unfortunately, there is the possibility that you could be injured at work through no fault of your own. These things happen. However, if you are injured, then you are usually entitled to some form of compensation. Compensation is given to you so that you don’t seek legal action against your employer because of your accident. Before you claim said compensation, there are a few things that you should think about. So, let’s dive in.
The first consideration you need to think about is what solicitor you are going to choose. It is their job to advocate on your behalf, to fight for you and ensure that you get what’s fair. So you need to be able to trust them.
For example, PSR Solicitors offer free help and guidance with no obligation to pursue the claim, although if you do, they offer a no-win-no-fee guarantee. They also have a really handy injury claim calculator on their site that can give you a better idea of what you are entitled to.
The other consideration that you need to make is the severity of your injuries. This entirely dictates the amount of money that you get. The seriousness of your injuries and your level of recovery can provide a good benchmark for how much compensation you need.
The compensation is designed to cover the effect that the injury has on your life. Some injuries are thus that you won’t be able to work again; some keep you out of work for weeks or months. The loss of wages, the life-changing effects, and the cost of recovery are all considered when your compensation figure is calculated.
If you are injured at work, then there tends to be two choices when it comes to compensation. First, you have to choose between receiving weekly payments or a lump sum. There are pros and cons for both. If you opt for a lump sum, then you know exactly what you are getting, and you can budget better; you don’t have to wait around for the money to appear each week.
Also, if you choose to settle in this way, you don’t have to worry about taking the matter to court. However, once you have the lump sum, that’s it. You can’t change your mind. This means even if your injury were to worsen, you wouldn’t get any more money.
On the other hand, if you were to go for a weekly payment, then the risk of running out of money is smaller. Also, if your injury were to worsen, your payments can be adjusted to account for this. Although, in truth, if you do choose weekly payments, it can be more hassle. It requires much more back and forth, which can be far more stressful than simply accepting a lump sum.
Accidents happen despite all safeguards put in place by your employers. Oversights lead to injuries. These injuries can have a profound effect on your life, and you deserve to be compensated for that. If you happen to be unlucky enough to have been injured at work, then be sure to keep the above three considerations in mind.