Many people want to know how much their workplace accident is worth, but something even more important is understanding how you’re going to get better and what your life is going to be like in the future. Settling your case for a fair amount of compensation gives you the financial backing that you’ll need as you focus on your recovery, but the recovery itself is the real challenge.
Seamen are entitled to maintenance, and depending on your job, you may be covered by the Jones Act or workers’ compensation for longshoremen. Financially, you should be able to make a claim and be compensated for your injuries.
Recovering is a different story. What can you do to help your recovery along? Here are three tips.
- Get medical care as soon as you can after an accident
The first thing you need to do is to get medical care. Don’t worry about the cost or distress that seeking care could cause because your health and wellness is what matters most. Call 911, have someone take you to shore or ask to be flown out of the area to get the help that you need.
- Get to know your treatment plan
The next step is to talk to your medical providers about your treatment plan. Your provider will have more information about the kinds of injuries you have, the prognosis and how long it should take you to recover if a full recovery is a possibility.
Your doctor should also let you know if a full recovery is unlikely so that you can use that information as you work on your claim.
- Follow your doctor’s orders
Finally, follow the treatment plan and listen to what your doctors tell you. Even if you start feeling better, you should continue going to your appointments and completing treatments. That way, you’ll get as much support as you recover as possible.
It’s hard to go through an injury, but you can focus on your recovery afterward. You deserve time to focus on your health and wellbeing before having to worry about going back to your job.