In the unlikely event that something goes wrong at work,
it’s always best to be prepared. If you happened to be involved in an accident
whilst on duty, would you know what steps to take? Here are some things to keep
in mind:
1) Seek medical attention
Hopefully this is the obvious one – but if the accident
causes injury or at least a concern that something may be wrong, seek on-site
first or send someone who can summon a first aider. If a first-aider isn’t
enough, call 111 if you think you may need more help but aren’t sure. If
something is quite clearly wrong, call for 999 and ask for the ambulance
service.
Always remember that adrenaline can mask the severity of
some injuries in the short term, and it is very important in the case of any
injury to the spine that the affected remain in the same position until a
paramedic can assess the best course of action. Should no further treatment
have been necessary but symptoms worsen after the event, always seek medical
attention as soon as you are able. At the very least it may just mean that
painkillers are prescribed, but it may be that a scan or an x-ray is deemed
necessary.
2) Report the accident
It is always advisable to report an accident or incident using the proper procedure set out in your company’s staff handbook. If you report to a manager, that would be your first point of contact. For a manager, it must be logged in the appropriate accident logbook and escalated from there. Even if an accident isn’t severe, it is registered so that it can be reviewed at head office level to see if any new procedures need to be implemented or changes need to be made.
If the matter is more severe, reporting it creates a permanent record that will be unvaluable should a legal case be made. At the time of any accident, it would also help your case if photographic evidence were taken of the injury or injuries. If it is not safe to do so at the scene, then as soon afterwards as possible.
If managerial level doesn’t provide a satisfactory conclusion to the incident, then it may be necessary to escalate to head office level. If you are still not satisfied with the company’s overall handling of the matter, then it may be necessary to consult the legal help of a solicitor.
3) Key points to remember
We could write for pages and pages about the dos and don’ts of points to remember, so here are the highlights:
- An individual has the right to pursue a compensation claim in the event of injury caused by
another person’s negligence. - The timeframe to make a claim is three years from the date of the actual accident. Starting proceedings
as soon as possible is always advised. - In the event that further evidence is required, remember that any potential store or premises CCTV often has a short shelf life before it is erased.
- A claimant can represent him or herself without the aid of a solicitor, but a successful outcome is much more likely with professional representation.
Further reading
Check out this detailed FAQ regarding accidents at work, including types of accidents, with information about eligibility and outcomes.
How do I get in touch?
Contact our team today on 0113 306 9039, or quickly and easily through our online accidents at work contact form.
