You can have all the health scares and doctor’s check-ups you like, but there’s no accounting for an accident. Whether it’s a slip, trip or fall, all those medical treatments will lead to nothing if you suffer a mishap – and it could leave you out of work for months.
Indeed, if your accident happens in the workplace, you could be in for far worse than an injury – the rift it causes between yourself and your employer could prove irreparable.
But not every accident in your workplace is necessarily your fault. While you might see your employer as some halo-wearing saint who drapes rose petals at your feet and sends pictures of cute cats through the office’s email, a lot of them aren’t following health and safety regulations.
And any number of employees will fight tooth and nail against allegations of employee neglect. After all, no company wants to be seen as uncaring for its own.
That’s why, if you’re having a legal wrangle with your employer, you’ve got to take matters into your own hands.
Here are a few things you can do.
Call the professionals
You’ve seen their adverts on the telly – men in suits shouting, “HAVE YOU HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE WORKPLACE?”at you with the conviction of a lay preacher. And if you have, they’re exactly the people to call.
Indeed, an injury claim solicitor can let you know what your rights are as a victim, and tell you how to communicate with your boss in a legal and above-board way.
While it can seem like a big step to take, legal advice should be your first port of call. With effective support in your back pocket, you’ll be effectively prepped no matter what your employer throws at you.
Get a team on your side
Back before Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher diluted their powers, worker’s unions were the perfect place to combat the greed of employers. But now trade unions are largely out to pasture, it’s up to you to keep worker bonds strong.
While you might not have the power of a union on your side, complaining to an employer enmasse about an accident is more likely to solve the problem than acting like a lone maverick.
Know your rights
The law can be a tricky beast, but it’s not impossible to understand. And understanding employment law means your boss won’t be able to run rings around you with seemingly impenetrable legal jargon.
Aside from accidents, this legal knowledge can help you in any debate with an employer, putting you both on even ground conversationally.
So, give yourself a hand with a few nights’ studying and you’ll be able to go toe-to-toe with your employer without offending their sensibility.
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