Last updated: February 21, 2023
It’s no secret that most people need to work for a living. You’re likely reading this blog post because that’s what you have been doing until recently when a workplace injury meant you were out of action and can’t return to your daily work activities.
You’re probably trying to figure out how to earn a living right now because you have unpaid bills piling up, and you don’t know how long it will take before you recover from your injuries fully. With that in mind, here are some ideas for you to consider and potentially action:
Ensure Your Employer Knows Their Responsibilities
Assuming you work for an employer directly rather than as a self-employed person, you should know that they have specific legal responsibilities to their workforce they must undertake.
For example, your contract may include some form of contractual sick pay that applies to your situation because you got injured at work. It’s worth checking with your manager or your employee handbook (if you’ve got issued with one) regarding your entitlements.
Your employer also has a legal duty of care to ensure that all employees work in a safe environment. They must take steps to correct any problems that could pose a danger to their workforce or other people at the workplace.
Consider Claiming for Compensation
Sometimes if people injure themselves at work through no fault of their own, and the cause is down to an employer’s health and safety negligence, it can make sense to pursue a compensation claim.
You’d automatically think it makes sense to look for any personal injury solicitor to help you; after all, they all offer the same service?
The truth is, as with any profession, some are good at what they do, and some aren’t particularly bothered about results as long as they get paid. That’s why it’s a good idea to look for injury lawyers who care about your situation and help you get what you deserve.
How much are you likely to get? Compensation levels will vary depending on various factors, such as the intensity of your injuries, the circumstances surrounding your accident, and anything else that may have influenced what happened to you.
Make Adjustments to Your Working Environment
If you’re lucky enough to have only a temporary injury, you’ll likely end up returning to work soon. However, if your injuries are life-changing, but you can still do your job, your employer can sometimes legally need to make adjustments to your workplace.
For instance, if you can only use a wheelchair and there are no ramps at your workplace, you’re classed as “substantially disadvantaged”, and your employer must make the required changes at your workplace to accommodate your wheelchair.
In other cases, your employer must also make reasonable adjustments to your working environment due to permanent disabilities. The wheelchair ramp example is one way, but others can include reconfiguring your workstation or providing extra equipment and support.
Looking for a New Income Source
Understandably, some people may not want to return to their place of work after their accident. If that applies to you, and you don’t wish to return due to continued grievances or even legal action against them, you need to find a new income source.
Of course, that can be easier said than done, so it’s essential to consider all your future employment options. Here are some things you could potentially do, depending on the severity of your injuries and whether they’ve been life-changing or not:
Consider Part-Time Work
If you feel that going back to full-time work could leave you in a lot of pain and discomfort, you may want to consider looking for a part-time job instead. It might even be possible to job-share your current role with someone else so that you can cut down your hours.
Work for Yourself From Home
Your injuries may be so debilitating that you might prefer to do something from home instead. Thankfully, there are hundreds of ideas to forge a career or build a home-based business working for yourself.
Look at a Different Career Choice
Lastly, you might decide that it would be safer or easier to move onto a different career path. For example, you might decide it’s best to look for admin roles rather than ones that demand lots of physical activity.
Final Thoughts
A workplace injury doesn’t have to mean the end of your career or any chance of earning a living. The above ideas and tips can help you move on from your accident and remain financially independent.
This is a collaborative post. A full disclosure is available from the main menu.
Leave a Reply