Getting up every morning to earn an honest wage is something that all of us should be able to do without ever having to worry about suffering a personal injury.
The reality is that the chance of having an accident at work is more common than you may think. In fact, the ILO estimate that up to 340 million accidents at work happen each year.
If you do suffer an accident at work, however, there could be a chance that you are entitled to compensation. Read on to find out what steps you should take to increase your chances.
Table of Contents
1. Take Care of Yourself
After the initial shock of suffering an accident at work, it can be easy to brush things off if you don’t seem badly injured. Resist this thinking and make sure that you see your designated first-aider, a role that is a legal requirement of every workplace.
Additionally, don’t hold back from visiting the hospital at your earliest convenience if it is necessary.
2. Inform Your Workmates
It is in the best interests of all to know of your accident. For any upstanding employer, there is the benefit of them improving any potential blindspots in their health and safety policy. For your colleagues, being aware of dangers can prevent them from falling victim, as well as giving them an indication of how seriously their employers uphold their standards.
The reality is that unfortunately, some employers will try to brush any accident at work under the carpet. Getting the word out as soon as possible will make it extremely difficult for them to do so, so don’t take any chances.
3. Inform Your Manager
Those in management have procedures in place for an accident at work. To initiate them you should formally inform your manager of what happened to you in writing.
In your email try to stick to the facts, stating clearly what happened and avoiding pointing the finger at this early stage.
4. Get It Logged in the Accident Book
Not having any accidents at work is an area of pride for most businesses. So filling out the accident book may not be encouraged, especially if your injuries could appear to be insignificant.
If you note this attitude from your management team. try to keep in mind that any potential claim needs to be supported with evidence. Having the incident on record in as many places as possible will only add validity to any future claim.
5. Take Photo or Video Evidence
As with any case, all that matters is the evidence. Therefore try to take as much as possible with your phone at the time of the accident and afterward. By date stamping them you can add weight to your claim.
Scrupulous employers have tried to imply that changes made after an accident at work were in place before to avoid taking responsibility.
6. Keep an Injury Log
It is often the case that the most insignificant aches and pains can turn into life-changing ones over time.
While you may have been rushed into hospital for a broken leg or something just as serious, pay attention to other discomforts you may feel since your accident at work and seek medical attention even when you may think it insignificant. This way, should you make a claim later down the line there is evidence of it being connected to your accident.
7. Get Professional Help
There are many avenues open to you legally for compensation after an accident at work. Don’t leave it to chance and seek legal advice.
Check out this guide to personal injury lawyers for more information.
Know How to Act After an Accident at Work
An accident at work can leave scars long into the future. Put into practice our next steps to ensure that your experience is painless as possible.
If you enjoyed our informative guide, check out the other great legal advice found on our site.