10 things to do after an accident at work
If you have been injured at work, as a result of your employer’s negligence, or the negligence of another employee, then MG Legal’s personal injury experts have prepared a list of 10 things you can do to assist you with your claim for personal injury in the workplace:
1. Tell your employer about the accident.
If you can, it is always best to tell your employer immediately after the accident. If you cannot tell them, then ask another employee, or friend to tell them. It is always best to report the accident to your employer, or your immediate supervisor, so that they can complete an Accident Report Form.
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2. Get Medical treatment
Seek medical attention as soon as you can, and make sure that the medical practitioner treating you is aware how the accident happened, and that the accident happened at work.
3. Complete an Accident Report Form
As soon as possible after your accident at work your employer must ask you to complete an accident report form. Your employer must provide a claim form and both parties will fill out the form and the employer, if you are thinking of pursuing a claim for personal injury, will submit a copy of your accident report fom to their insurance company. If the incident is serious enough, then your employer must report the accident to the Health and Safety Executive.
4. Make sure you follow the medical advice given
If you seek medical attention as a result of an injury in the workplace, then you must make sure to follow the advice given. Your GP, and hospital will advise you on how to properly heal from your injury. Your employer cannot pressure you to go back to work prematurely or threaten you with disciplinary actions and termination if your doctor’s advice restricts you from returning to work.
5. Gather evidence
If able to, take photos of the scene of the accident, paying close attention to the whatever caused the accident, and if you are in a position to do so, take pictures of your injury, before and after receiving treatment. You can always ask another employee, friend, partner or neighbour to take pictures on your behalf, if you are not in a position to do so – for example if you are seriously injured, or have broken your arm, leg etc and are immobile.
7. Obtain Witness details
Who saw the incident? Who was there? Are there witnesses to the fact that the machinery you were using was defective? Ask anyone if they have reported such an incident before, or if they have told your employer that something us unsafe and needs repairing or the method of working changing. Fellow employees can be good witnesses, or even members of the public, if they witnessed the accident that caused you to be injured. Obtain names, addresses, Facebook account details, and telephone numbers. Notwithstanding the events leading to your accident at work may appear to be cut and dried, not all employers are quick to admit liability, and witnesses are often needed to ensure matters are settled more quickly.
8. Sick pay
If you need to take time off work as a result of your injury, check your contract of employment, If the accident that caused you to be injured was a result of your employer’s negligent act or omissions, you should be entitled to full pay whilst you are off work, recovering. In the interim, you will be entitled to statutory Sick Pay from your employer. Depending on the seriousness of the injury, you may also be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit from the government.
9. Keep a diary
Keep a diary, detailing how your injuries are affecting your everyday life. Are there any household tasks you can’t carry out as a result of being injured? Any hobbies that you are unable to partake in? Your mood may have changed as a result of your accident at work, so that you avoid company, or can be irritable in groups of people. When you attend a medical examination, you will be asked to explain how your life has been affected by your accident at work- it helps to make a diary so you don’t forget anything.
10. Contact MG Legal’s personal injury solicitors
Contact MG Legal’s personal injury solicitors, and we will happily discuss taking your claim on a No Win No Fee Basis. Our small, expert team of dedicated personal injury solicitors offer a no nonsense approach to matters, and will get you the personal injury compensation you deserve. Our main priority is seeing you not only financially compensated, but also on the road to physical recovery, and we have access to the best experts in their field to assist you on your way.
Frequently asked questions about making a personal injury claim.
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