No matter how cautious you may be, there are times in the workplace where you can be injured. Certain roles come with a level of expected risk, such as any jobs in construction sites, although this does not mean that it is okay for employees to be subject to injuries. As you can imagine, being involved in an accident can be a difficult situation, particularly when you are at work.
This article will advise you on what to do if you are injured at work, so that you know the appropriate steps to take should you find yourself in this unfortunate situation.
Seek Medical Help
The first thing you should do is to seek medical help. Accidents in the workplace can be serious, and even if you do not think that you have suffered major injuries, you should still be checked by a medical professional to ensure that you do not have any internal issues. Your health is your priority, no matter what else is going on. Do not continue the job. If you are injured, stop your task and focus on your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Report The Incident
Every company must have appropriate health and safety policies in place, and these will advise that any accidents within the workplace should be reported. You must do this, not only to help your case as this will be used as evidence but also so that similar accidents do not happen again in the future to other employees. Speak with your line manager and the health and safety lead as they will be able to support you with this process.
Consult With Experts
If you are a victim of an accident in the workplace, you should consider discussing your case with your union or with a legal specialist. This may seem like an unnecessary measure, but you may find that not every employer is supportive whenever there is a health and safety issue, particularly if they are at fault. It’s worth bearing in mind that your employer is required to be insured for employee liabilities and this specifically covers accidents at work.
A professional who is knowledgeable within this legal field will be able to advise you on what to do and help you claim compensation. You should know that according to a compensation law firm, the majority of individuals are entitled to a payment if they have been victims of an injury at work, as long as they can prove that they followed all required protocols to avoid being in this situation. A personal injury lawyer is your best bet when it comes to this process as they will know exactly what to do and what to look for.
Gather Evidence
You may need evidence that the accident occurred, especially if you are claiming compensation. Evidence of this includes writing down a statement of what happened, any statements from witnesses, the official documents of when you reported the accident to your manager as well as any medical notes regarding your injuries. A lawyer may be able to help you gather all of this information and advise you of what you need to build your case so that you can solely focus on your rehabilitation.
Being in an accident at work can be very difficult, particularly if you have suffered major injuries. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure to follow the steps discussed above so that you deal with the situation effectively.