What to do if an accident occurs in the workplace
No matter the industry you work in, accidents can happen. From slips, trips, and falls in hospitality settings to falling from a height when working on a construction site, every environment involves safety hazards.
Every employer also has a duty of care to keep employees safe. They must put the proper measures in place to mitigate health and safety risks and prevent accidents at work where possible. But what happens if your employer is negligent, leading to workplace injuries?
The team at Tylers Solicitors is on hand to provide expert legal advice and guide you through the workplace accident claims process. We’ve put together a guide to ensure you feel prepared to handle the situation in the unfortunate event of an injury at work.
What types of accidents are common in the workplace?
Every industry will face different hazards. However, there are a few common workplace injuries that can happen in a broad range of professions.
Slips, trips, and falls account for 31% of all workplace accidents according to HSE statistics, but other common incidents include:
- Falling from a height
- Manual handling accidents
- Acts of violence
- Being hit by a moving object
Can you claim compensation for an accident at work?
Not all workplace accidents are eligible for compensation. Have you ever tripped over at work while in a hurry? Perhaps you’ve dropped a heavy item on your foot or scalded yourself when making coffee. Often, the injuries we face are ultimately due to our own errors or misjudgments.
To be able to claim compensation for an injury at work, you need to be able to prove that:
- The accident wasn’t your fault
- That there was a clear party in the wrong — this could be an employer who didn’t provide the right safety equipment, for example, or a colleague who didn’t follow the right safety procedures.
- That the injury has had a significant impact on your health and wellbeing (this could be psychological and emotional as well as physical).
If this sounds familiar and you’d like to discuss your case to see if you’re eligible for compensation, please don’t hesitate to give the team at Tylers Solicitors a call on 0800 699 0079.
What to do if an accident occurs in the workplace: 11 essential steps
Knowing the steps to follow if an accident does happen in the workplace can put you in good stead for handling the situation if it arises. Not only can this lead to faster help but it can also boost your chances of a successful compensation claim.
- Put your safety and wellbeing first
Regardless of the accident type, it’s vital that you put your safety first. Make sure you get out of harm’s way as soon as possible and seek advice from the first aider on your team. If necessary, call 999 for urgent medical assistance or arrange transport to A&E.
- Report the accident to your manager
It’s also important to let your manager know what has happened — make sure it’s written in the workplace accident book. This will be a key piece of evidence during the claims process.
- Make sure your colleagues are aware of the accident
When possible, let any colleagues or other workers nearby know what happened. If there’s still any chance of danger — for example, a faulty piece of machinery or a spillage — making it known can prevent further accidents from happening.
- Get the contact details of any witnesses
Were other people around when the accident took place? If they saw anything at all, it could help validate your claim.
If they are happy to, ask them to note down a statement as soon as possible so the incident is still fresh in their mind. Take their contact details so they can help back your case at a later date if needed, too.
- Take photos and videos if possible
Any photographic or video evidence can be helpful in validating your case. If there are any CCTV cameras near the accident scene, try and get hold of the footage.
It’s also a good idea to take photos or videos yourself. Is it possible to get a photo of the faulty machinery or the trip hazard that caused your injuries?
Document your injuries too — is there any bruising? Have you had to have an arm or a leg in plaster? All of this can show the impact the workplace accident has had on your physical health.
- Get a medical checkup
We’ve already mentioned getting seen by a first aider at the time of the accident but any subsequent medical checkups are also vital. Sometimes, you may not experience symptoms right away, so it’s important to get seen by a paramedic or doctor. They can check for injuries like concussion.
What’s more, your compensation amount will usually depend on how long your injuries lasted. More serious issues can cause ongoing pain and suffering. Any medical appointments following your accident will provide evidence of your enduring injuries. Your medical records play a big role in the evidence supporting your compensation claim.
- Keep track of any symptoms
Similarly, note down your symptoms following the accident. They may change or worsen over time, and it’s important that your solicitor understands how the injuries continue to affect you.
Your accident may lead to multiple injuries and issues, from soft tissue damage to chronic pain. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for claimants to find that a doctor or nurse has only focused on what they consider to be the most serious part of the injury during a medical check up. As such, offering a diary of symptoms can help prove that your injury has affected you in multiple, ongoing ways.
- Record any expenses or losses
Injury compensation doesn’t just cover physical and emotional suffering. It also takes other factors into account, including the impact the workplace accident has on your finances.
You may find you have to take time off work to recover. Perhaps you have to pay for transport to medical appointments or require home adaptations to aid in your recovery. All of these should be considered when working out how much injury compensation you’re entitled to.
If your injury has affected you financially in any way, make sure you record it. This could be:
- Loss due to a cancelled holiday because you can’t travel with your injuries
- Increased heating bills from needing to stay at home more
- Payment for therapy or treatments
- The purchase of equipment to help with mobility
You may be able to claim for more than you might first think, so it’s worth writing it down. If you have any questions about what does and doesn’t count, our solicitors are happy to guide you. Give us a call on 0800 699 0079 or use our online contact form to discuss your case.
- Consider making a complaint
You have the right to make a formal complaint or grievance against your workplace if their negligence has caused you harm. Doing so may help improve the workplace conditions for others and for you when you return to your job.
If you decide to put in a grievance, it’s worth making sure you know your employment rights, so we recommend getting in touch with a legal professional.
- Submit a Subject Access Request
In some situations, information about your accident may have been discussed without you being privy to it. There may be emails between your employer and colleagues or details in your occupational health files, for example.
If you want to ensure you have visibility of all communications about you, you have a right to submit a Subject Access Request. This means your employer has to let you see any details regarding you and your accident. In some cases, there may be information that can support your claim.
- Contact a workplace injury solicitor
The best way to find out if you have a valid injury compensation claim is to speak with a solicitor. The team at Tylers Solicitors has over 15 years of experience in helping claimants get the compensation they deserve following a workplace accident.
Book an initial consultation with one of our accident solicitors to work out what you could be entitled to. From there we can:
- Help you gather the evidence you need to support your claim
- Handle all legal aspects, including paperwork and negotiations
- Represent you in court (in the rare case that your employer disputes liability)
How much compensation could you claim for an accident at work?
Compensation amounts vary greatly depending on the severity of your injuries. If you recover from your injuries within three months, your compensation will usually be up to £2,990. You can usually expect to receive a higher amount for longer lasting injuries.
Our accidents at work compensation calculator gives some ballpark figures to provide some guidance, but we recommend getting in touch for an accurate estimate.
Support with accident at work claims from Tylers Solicitors
Knowing what to do if an accident occurs in the workplace can help you feel prepared for the worst case scenarios.
If you are unfortunate enough to experience an injury due to a workplace accident that wasn’t your fault, the team at Tyler’s Solicitors can support you, every step of the way, so you can get the compensation you deserve. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you’ll only pay us if your claim is successful!
For compassionate guidance from knowledgeable legal professionals, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss your case.
