Needless to say, life can be unpredictable, and sometimes, our jobs can take a toll on our health. It’s hard to be in this health-hustle mindset when it feels like something was taken from you, right? It’s one thing to have a tough day at work, but it’s an entirely different story when your job leaves you with serious, even fatal, health issues. Sadly, it’s far too common.
It’s way more common than it actually needs to be! So, if you find yourself in such a heartbreaking situation, it’s crucial to know that you’re not alone and there are steps you can take to address this. So, with that all said, let’s walk through what you can do if your previous employer has caused you to have severe health problems.
Understanding Your Situation
So, it’s all going to start right here. Mayeb you already got a diagnosis, maybe you noticed health conditions and looked it up, maybe it’s all just suspicions. Well, whatever it is, it’s best to get to the bottom of this first.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
First things first, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of emotions – anger, sadness, fear, and confusion. These feelings are valid, and acknowledging them is the first step towards healing. Seriosuly, just gives yourself permission to feel and process these emotions. Talk to someone you trust or consider seeking support from a counselor or therapist.
Get a Clear Medical Diagnosis
It’s essential to have a thorough medical examination to understand the full extent of your health issues. Overall, a clear and detailed diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional is crucial. This will help manage your health better and serve as important documentation if you decide to pursue legal action. Now, if you take legal action, you will need medical records, or you’re just not going to have a case; it’s as simple as that.
Legal Steps to Take
Fortunately, there are a lot of resources out there; actually, when you see a doctor, they might even suggest seeing a lawyer for legal action if everything pinpoints to an old job. There’s a lot of help and there’s even a lot of resources out there, such as the Lung Cancer Group, but overall, you should seek help.
Medical bills are expensive, and you didn’t ask for these health issues! Who knows, maybe your employer is still putting other people’s health at risk, too!
Consult a Lawyer
Now, one of the most important steps you can take is to consult with an attorney who specializes in occupational health or personal injury law. They can help you understand your rights and the possible legal avenues you can take. It’s best to look for a lawyer with experience in handling cases similar to yours.
Gather Evidence
You can’t expect to win easily, no matter if you have the best lawyer in town. You have to work with them. So, to build a strong case, you’ll need to gather as much evidence as possible. This includes:
- Medical records and diagnosis.
- Employment records detailing your work history and conditions.
- Any correspondence with your employer regarding your health.
- Statements from co-workers who can testify about the work environment.
You might need more; it’s best to talk to your lawyer, and most likely, your doctor will help, too.
File a Claim
So, this one might be scary, but you need to do it! So, depending on your situation and location, you can file a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Your lawyer will guide you through this process and help you decide the best course of action.
You Need to Keep Taking Care of Your Health
Now, you need to understand that your health is the top priority. So, it’s best to follow the treatment plan laid out by your healthcare provider. This might include medications, therapies, lifestyle changes, or even surgical procedures. Keeping up with your treatment can improve your quality of life and also strengthen your case by showing that you are taking your health seriously.
But is that all? Well, it’s best to look into support groups too, actually, your doctor might even recommend you join a support group or even seek out a therapist that specializes in certain health conditions (lawyers tend to recommend this too when you’re building up your case). But you can look for local or online support groups for people with your condition or who have faced workplace-related health issues.
It’s just so important to understand that you don’t need to go about this alone. It’s scary, yes, but if you have fatal health complications due to a previous employer, you deserve justice!
