What To Do if You’re Injured at Work
Accidents at work do happen, and they can vary in seriousness. After any workplace accident, the aftermath can be painful, distressing, and financially worrying. That makes it vital that you know exactly what steps to take, both in the moments immediately following an accident and what to do long-term as well.
These steps are as much about protecting you as they are about recovery. There are very strict legal guidelines on workplace safety, and those laws are in place to protect you from harm. If you do suffer from an injury while you’re at work, then these are the essential actions that you need to take.
Address Your Injury
In the moments after an accident, you need to make sure that you are not in any immediate danger. If the injury is slight, that doesn’t mean that you can ignore it, as there could be injuries that you aren’t able to see. Immediately inform the first aider in the building for help.
Accident Report
Your workplace should have an accident book in place. Inform your colleagues and your supervisor/manager of your accident, and ensure that it is logged and recorded in the accident book. If your injury is serious, then your boss will need to report to the on-site Health and Safety Executive. In cases where your employer refuses to make an official record of your injury, then you need to write a letter to them so that you have an official paper trail.
Compile Evidence
If you are planning to claim compensation, then you should make sure that you have a record of your accident. Take photos of your injuries and the environment where the incident took place. If you’re worried about recording too much evidence, don’t be. There’s no such thing as too much evidence.
Keep a Diary
Whether you have to miss work days or you’re able to carry on working, it’s important that you keep a record of how your injury is affecting your life. Keep notes in a diary, especially for those minor injuries that turn into serious worries. The immediate response to your accident usually concentrates on the more obvious wounds, but sometimes it’s the smaller injuries that can have the biggest impact. Your diary should also be used as a way to record all of your expenses that have been caused by your accident (time off work, missed holidays, or even higher home heating bills).
Get Legal Help
Due to the fact that workplace health and safety is legally protected. The legal jargon can get very confusing unless you have a law degree. Make sure that you retain the services of a solicitor who specialises in workplace injuries, with firms like The Compensation Experts ideally suited to help you get the financial remuneration you deserve.
Most workplaces will react and respond to your accident in the right way. However, even the best employer will want to protect their business. So it’s important that you take the steps needed to protect yourself. The more that you prepare for the worst, the easier it will be to stay safer. And less likely to suffer unnecessarily from the long and short-term consequences of your workplace injury.
