subject: Accident At Work Claim, Know Your Rights [print this page] The global recession has led to a lot of job cuts as well as cuts in pay. Employees are already under severe pressure and tension to fulfill their responsibilities. It is not surprising that they would not be aware of their rights and privileges as an employee. Even if they are aware, they would not be bold enough to take this up with their employers and that could cost them dearly when it comes to any accident in the work place.
It is however important for all employees to have knowledge about their rights when in employment at their work place. This will help them decide on how to proceed when they meet with an accident.
It is the duty of every employer to care for the people working under them and they are responsible for their safety as well as welfare at the work place. That means making sure there are enough first aid facilities, adequate precautions and safeguards are in place to avoid any accidents and so on. They are supposed to also provide the best of protective gear to employees working on equipments so that the chances of any accidents are greatly minimised or totally eliminated.
Accidents in the work place can have a very profound and negative impact on the personal as well as professional life of the employee. In addition to the physical trauma, the medical bills, doctor's fees as well as absence from work all add up to a lot of hassle causing a great deal of mental discomfort to the victim. In the event of an accident taking place, the Health officer of the company must ensure that the suffering employee is properly briefed about the rights so that the accident at work claim can be put forward.
It is a matter of concern that many of the employees defer making such claims against the employer for fear of dismissal or punitive action. They must know that this fear is unfounded and can result in the employer facing the tribunal that ensures fair justice is done to the employee. It can sully the name of the company and that is not something any employer would welcome. Usually, employers want to make sure that they are complying with all the necessary standards as laid down by the Health and Wellness department so that they are not exposed to any possible claims by the employees. Moreover, it is not the employer who is making the accident at work claim payment but the insurance company with whom they have a policy.
Employees can thus claim for expenses relating to the medical bills, the fees charged by the professional doctor, loss of pay due to absence from work and mental discomfort caused due to the accident. Other associated expenses like travel may also be claimed by the victim. A lot depends on the nature of the accident and when represented correctly by a good legal counsel, the victim should be able to get decent compensation.
