The medical industry comprises all sorts of medical personnel, including doctors. They have a variety of jobs they need to do, including diagnosing patients’ ailments when they are sick, treating patients through to healing and ensuring the well being of patients. Some doctors work in hospitals, while others operate from their own premises or in clinics. They work in a variety of occupations such as paediatrics, orthopaedics, heart surgery, and ear, nose and throat. Common Workplace Injuries as a Doctor Working as a doctor has its risks, such as trips and falls over unseen obstacles which could lead to back, neck and head injuries, exposure to sickness of patients and the danger of blood related infections. Care and attention is always taken but things happen that appear unavoidable. Next Steps After a Doctor’s Workplace Injury If you were injured or fell sick while in the course of performing your duties as a doctor you should report the matter to your immediate supervisor immediately. If you are unable to do this yourself, a colleague or member of your family should do it on your behalf. It’s important your workplace knows so that someone can carry out your duties while you are unable to do so. If the injury was as a result of an accident it is also important to get the contact details of any witnesses who can vouch the accident happened while at work. It will also be helpful to take some photos of the accident scene so you have the evidence at your fingertips if you need it later on. If you have been struck down by an illness a diagnosis will be required to confirm the nature of the illness. The facts about the accident or illness will be needed when you contact a worker’s comp. attorney who will help you get the workers’ comp. that’s your entitlement. How Workers Compensation Can Help As a doctor, whatever your state, you should be eligible to file a workers’ comp. claim unless you are self employed. Your employer takes out workers’ comp. insurance to cover its workers should they fall sick or suffer an injury while at work. The payment you should receive is calculated as a percentage of your usual salary that you were receiving at the time of the accident. In addition, you will be paid for the cost of medical treatment even if that is required for a long time. You are entitled to workers’ compensation as it ensures you aren’t financially disadvantaged due to an accident at work or an illness that prevents you from carrying out work related tasks. Even if the accident is your fault you are still eligible for workers’ compensation. Why You Should Contact a WC Attorney You need to have a workers’ compensation attorney on your side to help you with your claim. This is because your workplace insurer won’t necessarily grant your workers’ comp. without some resistance. An attorney will make sure all the evidence to prove that your accident took place at work is foolproof and can’t be disputed. This gives little chance for your employer’s insurer to doubt the validity of your claim and you should get the full amount.
