With the Labor Force Survey reporting that 561,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury between 2022 and 2023, it is essential to know what to do if you are the victim of an accident due to negligence in the workplace.
You can claim for many accidents and injuries, including falls from heights, electric shocks, forklift injuries, asbestos compensation and faulty work equipment injuries.
Accident compensation experts at Claims.co.uk have shared the actions you should take following an incident to not only ensure your safety but also to protect and exercise your right to compensation.
- Report the incident to your employer
It is important to report the incident to your employer immediately, which should be a written accident report filled with as much detail as possible, including the exact time, place, who witnessed it, and your contact details. It is best to ask your employer for a copy of the page to personally keep hold of.
Also, check if your employer has reported the accident to the Health and Safety Executive since this report can be used as evidence by your solicitor in your claim.
- Gather evidence of the accident
Gathering as much evidence as you can at the scene of the accident is crucial for your claim. Take plenty of clear photos and videos of the location where the incident occurred, including the equipment and hazards that contributed to the accident and injury. The conditions at the site of your accident may change quickly, so it is best to document the scene as soon as possible.
Photographing your injuries that you sustained from the incident is also important, as this can be used as evidence in your claim and a visual record of the severity of the incident.
If a CCTV camera is present where the accident took place, check with the owner of the system or your employer to see if the footage is available. They have a legal duty to provide this footage within 40 days of your request.
- Collect witness accounts
If anyone witnessed the accident, whether this be colleagues or a member of the public, ensure that you collect a signed statement from them as evidence of what happened.
Remember to record the names and contact details of the witnesses as they may be called to provide further evidence.
- Keep medical records
Following the injury, keep hold of all copies of medical treatment that you receive, which includes reports, prescription receipts, and any correspondence that is related to your injury and treatment.
If you are unable to receive copies of medical reports, your solicitor will request this information with your permission.
- Keep a personal account of the accident
Throughout the workplace accident claim, keep a personal record of what happened in full detail and as a sequence of events, with the timeline including when the accident happened, when medical help arrived, and when you reported the incident to your employer.
Also, keep a record of any developments in your injury, the medical treatment you are receiving and the responses from your employer about the accident.
Keeping up to date with your personal account will only strengthen your case, especially if your employer denies responsibility for the accident.
- Follow medical advice
To benefit your health and workplace injury claim, it is important to follow the medical advice that you receive and attend all follow-up appointments.
Non-compliance may negatively impact your compensation claim, as it might be interpreted as a lack of interest in recovering.
- Return to work carefully
Remember to not rush back into work until you are physically ready, as this can worsen or complicate your injury.
If your medical advice is to return to work with conditions, such as no heavy lifting or working limited hours, then it is important to adhere to this. Ensure that your employer also understands and respects these conditions to help your recovery.
- Making a claim for an accident at work
You can make a work accident personal injury claim if the incident was someone else’s fault, such as if your employer failed to uphold their legal duty of care to you.
Your accident must have happened within the last three years, or it has been three years or less since you first became aware of your injury or condition.
Get in touch with an expert legal advisor for an initial consultation to see if you are entitled to compensation.
A spokesperson for Claims.co.uk adds:
“In the aftershock of an accident at work, it can be difficult to think about what to do and what your rights are. However, whether your injury is minor or severe, if it caused by somebody else’s negligence, then you are entitled to compensation.
“Documenting everything through photographs, videos, and witness statements is particularly crucial for your workplace injury claim since these records will be used as evidence by your solicitor.
“Following these steps will ensure that you are protecting your legal rights, most importantly facilitating your recovery, and you may even be preventing future injuries in your workplace.”