If your company has weak safety guidelines, an accident at work is inevitable and can lead to serious physical injuries or even death.
While accidents at work may be more likely in some industries than others, there’s no doubt that there remain a large number of non-fatal incidents across the board in the UK.
According to a Labour Force Survey from 2020/21, for example, 441,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury on these shores. Slips, trips or falls on the same level accounted for approximately 33% of all non-fatal accidents, while a further 18% were injured when handling, lifting or carrying items.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what to do if you have an accident and work and how you can optimise your chances of securing compensation when appropriate.
#1. Ensure That Your Accident is Reported
RIDDOR is the primary workplace health and safety law in the UK, and this comprehensive piece of legislation requires all employers to accurately report and keep detailed records of accidents in the workplace.
This includes both fatal and non-fatal incidents, so your first step after experiencing a workplace injury should be to ensure that this has been recorded.
You should also keep your own personal notes pertaining to the injury (where possible), while taking images of both any injuries caused and examples of faulty equipment or less than optimal working conditions.
This provides visual evidence of your case if you pursue a compensation claim, as you’ll need to demonstrate proof of the injury and showcase how your employer was at least partially at fault.
#2. See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
While you may receive emergency care in the case of some workplace injuries, this isn’t always the case for less serious incidents.
In this instance, you’ll have to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible after the event, and there are two key reasons for this.
Firstly, you’ll need to diagnose the full extent of the injury and ensure that you get the necessary treatment as a matter of urgency.
Secondly, it’s crucial that your injuries and their impact are recorded on your medical records for prosperity, as this will also help to support any future compensation claim against an employer and their insurance providers.
#3. Liaise With Work and Pursue a Claim
From a practical perspective, you’ll also need to check in with work after the event if the injury requires you to take time off.
More specifically, you’ll have to organise sick pay and review your full list of available benefits, as this will help to create a financial safety net and alleviate your stress while you’re required to take time off work.
In the longer-term, now is also the ideal time to reflect on the incident and potentially consider a personal injury claim if the employer was at fault. This is a viable option even if the employer was only partially at fault, but the key is that you can back up your claim with direct evidence and documentation.
Typically, this will result in an out-of-court settlement (unless your employer rejects liability), which can help to cover the cost of care and any lost earnings.
