Whilst injuries and incidents are a normal part of life, a serious accident can leave you feeling emotionally distressed, in physical pain, and distressed and overwhelmed. These feelings can be exacerbated if the accident was not your fault. If you have been the victim of a workplace accident, it’s understandable that you may be feeling angry about your situation. It’s important not to let your misfortune take over your life, so follow these steps to try and move forward.
File A Claim For Legal Damages
The best way to move past your accident is to close the chapter. This can be helped by feeling as though you have received some sort of apology or justification from your employers. Bringing about a civil lawsuit and attempting to claim damages is a sensible way to feel as though you have not been left bereft. Claiming damages is also fiscally prudent if you have been injured badly enough that you cannot work any longer or have suffered a loss of earning due to their actions.
If you were injured because of your employer’s negligence, the burden of proof will be on you as accident claims are considered civil lawsuits. Your first step will be to contact a law firm. Do this as soon as physically possible after your accident. If companies have time to act after they have behaved negligently, they will attempt to cover any wrongdoing. Good lawyers will be able to guide you into winning a successful case. You will need to provide them with enough proof to show that your employers acted negligently, which resulted in you being harmed. If you are not sure when to sue after a work injury, be sure to talk to a specialized lawyer in order to find out whether you will be able to do so.
Some cases can be settled out of court, via a demand letter. This is the best-case scenario as it minimizes the amount of time, money, and drama involved. Look for a law firm that works on a no-win, no-fee basis, so that you don’t get left out of pocket if your case is unsuccessful. If you win your case, it can seem easier to move forward as you will have claimed some sort of victory despite you circumstances. If you do not win then it may feel even harder to move on.
Make A Plan
Whether your lawsuit is successful or not, once it’s over it is time to move on. There is no sense in dwelling unnecessarily on the past. This may not be easy if you have been left with physical or mental disabilities from your accident. Understand your limitations and put together an action plan to try and overcome or live with them.
The next step you need to take is planning for your future. Will you continue your career in the same line of work you were injured in? If you want to, that is totally fine. Often workers will go back to the very job that injured them and it is important to get the better of any awkwardness that may have arisen from your lawsuit. It is illegal for a company to fire an employee for bringing a case against them, so you should feel secure that they cannot hold it against you. If you would like a change of scenery, that is fine too, but you must decide on what you would like to do next. If you have been injured so badly that you are unable to work, invest your time in a new hobby or passion to keep you entertained and give yourself a purpose.
Let Go Of The Past
It sounds far easier said than done but letting go is essential to moving forward. Think of a slingshot; the second you stop pulling it backward it catapults forwards. This is the trajectory you need to aim for – onwards and upwards, with nothing holding you back. If you are still tied to the past, you will never be free to move on. Surround yourself with a great support network of friends and family and open up to them about how you are feeling. If you are still struggling, it is best to look for help from a professional.
Seek Counselling
If you are finding it hard to let go of the past, then consider therapy. Living through an injury can have long-lasting damage to our emotional and mental wellbeing. If you are finding yourself suffering from nightmares, flashbacks, or anxiety, you may likely be encountering some PTSD-type issues. To move forward you must learn how to cope with any emotional trauma, so seek professional help from a counsellor or psychiatrist. They will also be able to help you let go of any anger, resentment, or hatred towards those who were responsible for your accident. Understanding your coping stages and talking this through will help you move forward.
Have you been injured badly at work? Share your experiences in the comments to help and inspire other readers.