Steps to Take When You Suffer A Serious Injury

#AskPatrycjaMajchrowicz

You could be driving in your car, shopping at a local retail store or working at your place of employment and be injured in an accident. What you say and do in the minutes and hours following an accident may affect your ability to collect compensation for your injuries. Here are the steps you must take to following different types of accidents.

Injuries suffered at work

An illness or injury related to your employment may entitle you to compensation. Ontario workers are protected through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and have the right to receive benefits, including medical care and compensation for lost earnings.

The most essential step in claiming WSIB benefits is notifying your employer of the illness or injury as soon after the occurrence as possible. You must report any injury or illness to your employer if it requires medical treatment beyond first aid in order to protect your right to benefits, including loss of income, medical care and replacement of eyeglasses and other items damaged in the accident. If you fail to file a claim for benefits within six months of the accident or onset of an illness related to your work, you could lose your right to compensation.

Steps to take following a vehicle crash

Vehicle collisions usually happen without warning and can be violent events leaving drivers and passions injured and distraught. Important steps to take following a vehicle crash include the following:

• Stay calm and call for assistance: Take a moment to become oriented and to recover from the shock of the collision before calling 911 for assistance. If you are unable to call because of your injuries, asking someone at the scene to make the call for you.
• Ensure the safety of yourself and others: The force of the impact could leave vehicles and debris scattered all over the roadway, so be careful when exiting your vehicle and lookout for other vehicles swerving to avoid the accident scene.
• Take note of the accident scene: If it is safe to do so, take pictures or make a note of the position of the vehicles involved in the crash and any damage caused to each of them.
• Exchange information with other drivers: Get the names, contact information and insurance company information of the drivers of other vehicles. Also note the description and registration numbers of other vehicles. If there are witnesses, obtain their names, addresses and telephone numbers.
• Seek medical treatment: If you are injured, seek medical attention immediately from emergency medical personnel responding to the scene or from your own doctor as soon as possible.

Notify your insurance company and your personal injury lawyer about the accident as soon after as possible following the accident.

Accidents occurring on someone else’s property

The owners and occupiers of retail stores, office buildings and even private homes have a duty to ensure their property is safe to prevent injuries to people entering upon them. If you are injured from slipping on snow or ice, tripping on a broken tile, falling down a stairway or any other accident occurring on premises belonging to another party, you could have a claim against them for compensation.

When an accident happens on another party’s property, you should notify the owner or manager immediately. Do not leave the premises without letting someone in authority know about the accident.

Seek medical treatment for your injuries as soon as practical. If your injuries are serious, ask someone to call for emergency medical personnel.

Make notes about the circumstances of the accident, including the time, date, location and a brief summary of what occurred. If possible, take pictures of the location of the accident.

Dedicated Ontario personal injury lawyers

The personal injury lawyers at Diamond and Diamond offer years of experience successfully handling compensation claims for individuals suffering injuries through the negligent and careless conduct of others. If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury, you should speak to one of our lawyers to learn more about your right to be compensated. Call the Diamond and Diamond 24/7 injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit our website to speak to someone now. We have offices located throughout Ontario offering free consultations and case evaluations to injury victims and their families.