Accidents in the workplace that require you to take time off work, or receive medical treatment, can cause a lot of friction. You would hope to get some kind of compensation for the injury, the loss of earnings, and help with medical expenses. Unfortunately some companies, and there insurance agents, do not see it that way. This is the main reason that the victims normally have to consult a personal injury lawyer in order to get some compensation.
Taking legal action is always a big step, and it is even worse if it is against an employer you have been with for quite a few years. However, most people cannot manage if they are not in receipt of their normal pay packet, especially if they also have to pay expensive medical bills. Though, the last thing on your mind, as you are being wheeled into the emergency room, is future financial problems, you do need to find out what is involved in making an insurance claim, and what you have to be wary of.
You will probably be asked to fill out a compensation claim, but in doing so you will be forgoing any of your statutory rights. Also these claims can take a very long time to be processed, during which you will have no income and lots of expenses. Even then, you might have the claim rejected, or the sum that is awarded is very small. You will get the impression that your employer is trying to help you, but in fact they are trying to help themselves.
You may find that your employees insurance company do offer you a compensation package. However, they will probably do this while you are still suffering from shock. Unscrupulous companies might even try to get you to admit the accident was your fault. You must treat everything with suspicion, and make sure you speak to a personal injury attorney before you sign anything.
You may find that your lawyer advises you to claim for expenses to cover all of your costs that occur during the period that you do not work. This might sound excessive, but your lawyer would not advise it if they did not think they had just cause. The lawyers for the other party will be aware of what you can claim for, which is why they will try to persuade you that it is in your best interest to sign the papers that they present to you.
At first, you will be offered a settlement fee, which you will probably think is quite attractive, but you do not know how much the whole incident is going to cost you financially. If you accept a settlement, you might be giving away your rights to future compensation. This is why it is imperative that you consult a lawyer who understands your rights before you sign anything.
The injury that you received might seem very minor at the time. However, once you have had a full medical examination you might find out that you are facing months of rehabilitation. This is bad enough, but if you had accepted a compensation offer straightaway, you could be on the way to financial ruin.
However sympathetic your employer is when you are lying in a hospital bed, do not let them convince you they have your best interests at heart. You have the right to make a claim for a realistic compensation package. The only person you should discuss your claim with is your personal injury lawyer.
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The dedicated team of personal injury lawyers Toronto have been fighting for clients' rights since 1979, there are no injury law firm fees until you receive compensation. Capp Shupak 2 Saint Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON M4V 1L5 (416) 944-2313