Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in America. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, thousands of farming-related injuries are reported annually. If you’re a farmer who has been injured on the job, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to do.
Speak with an Attorney
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may want to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and options. There are lawyers for people injured while working on the farm who can help you get compensation.
For example, suppose your injuries were caused by negligence by your employer or another party. In that case, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to seeking workers’ compensation benefits.
Seek Medical Attention
If you’ve been injured while working at the farm, your priority should be seeing a doctor. Whether you call 911 or drive yourself to the hospital, you must receive professional medical care as soon as possible.
Report Your Injury to Your Employer
Once you’ve received medical attention for your injuries, you’ll need to let your employer know what happened. This is important for a couple of reasons. First, it will ensure that your employer is aware of the incident and can take steps to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. Second, it will start the process of determining whether or not you’re eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
File a Claim
You may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if you’ve been injured while working at the farm. These benefits can help cover your bills for pain and suffering while you’re out of work recovering from your injuries. To file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, you’ll need to complete some paperwork and submit it to your employer or workers’ compensation insurance provider.
Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Farm Injury Lawyer
Knowing to hire an attorney is one thing; hiring the right one is another. Skip the mistakes mentioned below and hire the right lawyer to represent you.
Skipping background check
When hiring any lawyer, it’s important to check their credentials to ensure they’re qualified to practice law in your state and have experience handling cases like yours. There are many different kinds of lawyers, so you want to be sure you’re hiring someone specifically well-versed in farm injury law.
Skipping options
Just like with any other professional service, you shouldn’t hire the first lawyer you come across without first interviewing multiple candidates. This will allow you to compare their qualifications and get a feel for their personality to see if you would be comfortable working with them.
Not Asking for Recommendations
If you know someone who has hired a farm injury lawyer in the past, be sure to ask for their recommendation. They can tell you first hand about their experience with the lawyer and whether or not they were satisfied with the outcome of their case.
Skipping Reviews
In addition to asking for recommendations, check online reviews from other past clients. This will give you an idea of what others have thought about working with the lawyer and whether or not they would recommend them to others.
Not Preparing for Initial Consultation
Preparing for your initial consultation with any potential farm injury lawyers is important. This means organizing all your pertinent paperwork and bringing any questions about the process. By being prepared, you can make the most of your consultation and get started on the right foot with your potential legal team.
Hiring an inexperienced lawyer
You want to be sure you’re hiring a farm injury lawyer with experience handling cases like yours. This means they should understand the applicable laws well and know how to navigate the workers’ compensation system.
Not being honest with your lawyer
It would help if you were transparent with your lawyer about the details of your accident and injuries. This will help them build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Failing to follow your lawyer’s advice
Once you’ve hired a farm injury lawyer, follow their advice. They’re the experts and know what it takes to win cases like yours.
Final Word
If you’ve been injured while working at the farm, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention. Contact an experienced attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and options under state and federal law.
If you still have questions or concerns, feel free to comment below!
