Most of us are lucky enough to work in reasonably safe environments. Today, unless you have a job that is inherently dangerous, you can expect to get from one end of the day to the other without being exposed to the likelihood of serious injury from an oil rig explosion. Safe working standards are something that we have all grown used to and come to expect as standard.
However, even in the safest of jobs, there is still the potential for injuries to occur, no matter how careful you are. Obviously, there are plenty of things you can do to make any workplace safer, but it is still worth knowing what to do if you do suffer an injury while at work.
What to do When You are Injured
Whenever you suffer an injury at work during oil rig explosions, you should always report the incident to your superiors. Even if no one is seriously hurt and no medical attention is required, you should still make sure to create a report of the incident. In some states, there is a legal obligation to inform the business you work for of any injuries you sustain in writing. In other states, a verbal report is sufficient.
Some states also have a statute of limitations that specifies a time period during which you must make any legal claims that you intend on making. After this statute of limitations has expired, the business will no longer be liable for the incidents that have occurred.
Do I Have to See a Company Doctor?
Many businesses have been known to try and push injured workers towards seeing a company-approved physician in the aftermath of any accidents like oil rig explosions. As you might suspect, this is largely done for their benefit, not for yours. Some states will enable you to choose your own doctor, provided you make the request in writing prior to the accident.
However, in most states, workers are obligated to see the physician approved by their employer, at least for the first 30 days of their treatment. After this time, you can choose your own physician to continue your treatment. Make sure to check the applicable laws in your state.
Filing a Compensation Claim
If you are injured at work, whether it’s an oil rig explosion or a slip on a wet floor, you can often file a claim for compensation with an oil rig injury lawyer. If successful, a compensation claim can cover the costs of any medical treatment you need, and can also include punitive damages if a judge thinks it is necessary. Legally, an employer is supposed to provide you with a compensation claim form as soon as your report the incident to them.
Make sure that your oil rig explosion lawyer files the claim form out correctly and that you remember to sign and date it. If you don’t fill it out correctly, your employer will have the perfect excuse to not process the form. As long as you do everything by the book, they can’t then decide to ignore your claim.
Being injured at work is thankfully a rare occurrence for most of us. However, it is still worth knowing what to do if an accident does occur.
