If you’ve been injured at work, there are some things you should do to give your personal injury claim the best chance of success. This step-by-step process explains what to do after an accident at work.
Here are a few things you should do after an accident.
Seek medical attention at a hospital or from your Doctor
Your health and well-being are the most important considerations, so seek medical attention immediately.
Even if you believe you are fine, a medical professional may notice something you haven’t. For example, if you hit your head, you may have a concussion without realizing it. Going to the hospital or seeing your doctor will result in your visit being recorded on your medical record. The record will include the time and date, as well as a brief description of what happened to you. This could be helpful to evidence in your case.
Notify your employer of the accident at work
Reporting the accident to your employer provides additional evidence that the accident occurred as you claim. If possible, ask for a copy of the accident report. Your employer is required to report serious accidents to the Health and Safety Executive, which can provide us with additional evidence.
Get the contact information of anyone who witnessed the occurrence
Independent witnesses can be extremely beneficial in bolstering your case. It is critical that we get their contact information as soon as possible so that we can contact them. Finding witnesses, later on, can be difficult if there were a large number of potential witnesses or if they were contractors working for a different company. So, if possible, complete this task as soon as possible.
Take photographs of the accident scene
Photos are an effective tool for explaining how an accident occurred and demonstrating why your employer is to blame. It may not always be possible, but try to take photographs of the accident scene if possible.
Items to consider include:
- Missing, broken, or ineffective safety equipment
- Signage or hazard markings are missing.
- faulty equipment
- Flooring that is broken or uneven.
Write down the accident in detail
It’s critical to write down your entire accident while your memory is still fresh. Consider what happened prior to the accident and the procedure you were following at the time.
Include any specific instructions or training that you can recall that may have contributed to the accident. Keep copies of any documents related to the task you were working on, such as method statements or risk assessments.
Include what happened immediately following your accident as well; your employer’s reaction to the accident may have an impact on your claim. Have any of your coworkers had similar accidents or filed relevant complaints about safety or working conditions in the past? If so, please make a note of it and contact us.
Keep a record of your injuries, treatments, and recovery
Notes about your injuries will assist us in claiming the appropriate amount of compensation for you. You should include the following:
- Your injuries immediately following the accident – take photos if possible
- How your injuries healed over the next few days, weeks, or months – photos can also help here.
- How the injuries have impacted activities such as work, hobbies, housework, or childcare
- The degree of pain or discomfort caused by your injuries
- Do you feel anxious, depressed, self-conscious, or tired as a result of the accident or injuries?
- What medical treatments you’ve had – even simple things like taking pain relievers should be noted.
Keeping a diary can help you make sure you remember everything. Please keep any letters you receive from your doctor.
Maintain a record of any financial losses. Because of the Accident
You can seek compensation for any lost earnings as a result of the accident. For example, if you are unable to work due to your injuries, you may be unable to work as much as usual or perform the same job as before.
Keep any payslips you’ve received since the accident, as well as any from at least three months prior. You can also file a claim for any expenses incurred as a result of the accident, so keep receipts or invoices for these as well. You might be able to make a claim for:
- Getting to and from medical appointments
- Pain relievers or medication
- Rehabilitation or physiotherapy
- Aids, equipment, and home modifications to help with your injuries, such as a leg brace, an accessible car, or changes to make your bathroom more accessible.
Make a note of who has been looking after you since the accident and how long they have been doing so. Even if it’s a family member, we might be able to recover compensation for their time and effort.
Getting the right legal advice is the most important part of filing an accident at work claim. Whatever stage you’re at, our lawyers can advise you on what to do after a workplace accident. We will assist you if you are unsure how to get the necessary information or if you require assistance with any of these steps.
Making a personal injury claim
If you believe your injury was caused by your employer or client, you may wish to seek compensation; however, this can be complicated and time-consuming.
If you belong to a trade union, contact your local representative or visit their website to find out how to contact them. They will advise you on what to do and may be able to attend meetings with your employer to support you.
If you want to file a claim for a personal injury claims, you should do so as soon as possible because time limits apply.
