The Financial Effects of an Injury
When you’ve been injured, chances are you can’t continue to carry out your daily routine such as going to work. Time off from work (while it may be covered by disability, worker’s compensation, or medical leave) means money missing from your pockets. Most programs set up to provide some financial security offer you less than what you actually make. Bills get backed up, not to mention the financial expense of having to visit the doctor and pay for any medical expenses.
The Psychological Effects of an Injury
The stress of having to deal with the financial effects of your injuries is already bad enough; however, many victims also suffer personally. When your body has been damaged to the point that you’re incapable of completing your normal activities, it can really begin to wear on you mentally. According to WebMD, some of the psychological effects include:
- Sleep Deprivation – traumatic events can prevent you from getting the sleep you need at night.
- Stress and depression – When you’re unable to pay your bills, missing time from work, and unable to lead a full life it can lead to a bout of stress and/or depression.
- Humiliation – injuries that have changed your appearance or altered your way of life can make you feel embarrassed, less than, and humiliated.
- Fear – depending on how your injuries occurred, it can cause you to be fearful of certain events or actions such as driving, flying, working with heavy machinery, etc.
What Can You Do?
There’s no denying that the effects of an injury can really wreak havoc on your life. However, just as you do what it takes to recover physically, you must also take certain steps to heal mentally and recover financially. The sooner you begin healing in each of these areas, the sooner you can get back to a life filled with purpose. Below are two suggestions on how you can begin reclaiming your life.
- Seek Legal Counsel
If you haven’t done so already, now is a good time to seek legal counsel as it pertains to your personal injuries. Personal injury attorneys Hasbrook and Hasbrook state that their clients are often seeking compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Talking with a reputable attorney who specializes in personal injury cases is the first step in reclaiming your life. They will assess your accident and injuries and help you in filing a claim in court. Should the court rule in your favor, the money you receive could be used to pay for medical expenses, cover lost wages, and give you the financial cushion you need to hold you over while you continue to heal from your injuries.
- Consult with a Therapist
It’s true that receiving financial compensation can do a great deal for relieving the amount of stress you’ve been under since your accident; however, it will not take care of all the psychological effects. As such, it is recommended that you reach out to a therapist for further guidance and assistance in getting back on track with your life. Getting treated for stress, depression, fears, and anxieties are the next step in truly getting past what has happened to you. A therapist can help you to sort through your emotions. In doing so, they can help you learn to adapt to the problems and how they have affected your life.
Take it One Day at a Time
There is no doubt about it…accidents and injuries are very traumatic experiences that everyone wishes they could avoid. However, everything in life happens for a reason, and while you may not see it now, there is certainly light at the end of this tunnel. All you can do is take it one step at a time and begin slowly adapting to life as you know it to be.
If you’ve suffered from significant injuries as a result of an accident, the best thing you can do for yourself is get help. Personal injury attorneys are key players in helping you get financial compensation, while therapists are ideal for sorting through the psychological changes that have occurred. As long as you’re making strides towards eliminating the stresses in your life, eventually things will turn around for the better.
Skylar Mitchell says
Accidents can definitely be a big problem in life, because it can make it so you can’t go to work if you get injured really badly. It is really nice to hear that many times there are programs set up so that those who have been injured can still be paid while they are away from work. My brother just got in a bad accident and is really worried about this. I think it would be good for him to get some legal counsel about it so that he can possibly get some compensation to help cover the costs of his injury, as well as ma
Gus Chiggins says
Consulting with a therapist is a good idea after an injury has occurred. My friend went to therapy for 6 months after his car accident. it was so helpful, that he kept going even after he felt better. I am glad that he was able to speak with a professional about his issues.
Carol Newlands says
We can’t predict life. We can never say what will happen today and tomorrow. Wounds after an injury are like problems in our life. It needs time before it heals and the mark that remains is the sign that we fight. Injury can affect lots of aspect in our life. Financially, emotionally and physically. Especially if you got injured seriously, buta you still need to fight and continue life.
Jordan Baker says
I loved your advice to take everything one day at a time. It seems that a lot of people think that they will just be able to bounce back from their injury. However, it can take time to recover. The last thing that you want to do is rush the process. You can hurt yourself or become depressed that way. http://www.glaserebbs.net/personal-injury.php
Janelle Winters says
I would hope that all workplaces would be understanding of accidents but sadly, not all are. I agree: the stress of an injury is enough for a person to bear, but coupled with the stress of medical bills plus an inability to work and receive income, it becomes unbearably overwhelming. I say, if you find a lawyer that does a free consultation, go for it! Find out your options and see if they can help.
Elden Gatley says
I agree that sleep deprivation can be a real danger for injured workers. I think that companies should be aware of this. As a result, the employee may be more likely to enjoy coming back to work.