Suffering an accident at work can be very traumatic and if it leads to making an accident claim then it pays to do things by the book so that your case is a strong one. In the event of an accident, here’s a quick checklist of actions you need to take:
- Report the accident to your employer – it sounds obvious but lots of accidents happen every year without this being done properly. The accident should be reported to the person who looks after health and safety matters in the company and if you don’t know who that is, then ask your manager. Ensure that the accident gets reported in the employer’s accident book. Your employer is legally obliged to have an accident book.
- Seek medical attention – whether your accident requires the attention of your GP, a visit to casualty, or a visit to a medical specialist you should always ensure you seek medical attention even if you don’t think your injuries are that serious. Problems can escalate with injuries so it pays to get attention and in doing so; a medical record will be kept which may be important later.
- Obtain witnesses – if your accident was witnessed by anybody then make sure you obtain their names and contact details. Evidence may be required later from any witnesses to your accident.
- Photographs – it always helps if you can take photographs of where the accident happened and especially take photos of what may have caused the accident.
- Keep your own record – this is always good practice. Keep your own written record of what’s taken place including tools and equipment you were using, the specific job you were doing at the time of the accident and your job responsibilities in general. This will help your memory later and it will definitely help your solicitor if you intend to take matters further.
- Never admit fault or settle without legal advice – employers may want to settle with you to avoid court action. You should always seek advice first from a solicitor and don’t admit any fault because this will damage your case.
For more advice about filing an accident claim at work and to discuss your case with us, then please get in touch.