As an employee, you want to go to work without facing any significant challenges and be able to come back home safe and well. However, more often than not, this isn’t the case for workers who get injured at the workplace.
Such an incident can be confusing and difficult for anyone, and if you are a victim, you should be prepared and know what steps to take afterwards. In this blog, we guide you through all you need to know about handling a work accident, so keep reading to learn more.
Seek medical help immediately
Regardless of the severity of the work accident, it’s imperative to see your GP. If there’s a serious injury and you cannot call the emergency number, ask a coworker to do it for you. If the injury is less severe, you should leave work as soon as possible and visit your own doctor (not just any medical professional). That’s because they know your medical history best and can diagnose and recommend the right treatment for your injuries.
You shouldn’t let a company representative be in the room with you during the medical appointment (even if it seems well-meaning), as this isn’t part of the workplace injury procedure, and medical appointments are meant to be private.
Keep a record of the incident
After experiencing an accident at work, it’s imperative to report it to your supervisor and make a record of it. If the organization doesn’t have an official accident book where you can report the incident, you should take the time to tell them in detail what happened, how and where, as well as what witnesses were present (if any). Keep in mind that you shouldn’t let anyone dictate to you what to write in the record but use your own words only.
If you have previously told your supervisor or manager about safety issues, make sure to include details about that as well. An incident report, a text message to a colleague, an email to a supervisor, or a note on a timesheet or logbook can all be considered official records of the incident. If possible, it can also be helpful to take pictures of the hazardous area and keep them with the incident record.
Get informed of your legal rights
Don’t rely on your employer to tell you what the next steps are in such a situation; instead, do your own research and find out what paperwork you need to complete, what your rights are, and how you should proceed further. After suffering an injury where your employer was at fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Take the time to learn as much as you can about how to sue a company after an accident at work, and don’t hesitate to get further support from a legal expert. Given that the legal process is complicated, you will need a professional by your side who can help you handle things effectively and ensure everything turns out right. Often, workers are worried about the consequences of making an accident at work claim, but this shouldn’t deter you from suing your employer – they shouldn’t give you unfair treatment after bringing a claim against them, especially because they have the obligation to provide a safe environment at the workplace. If you have any questions or need any further information about the process, don’t hesitate to ask your attorney all that you need to know, as they will be happy to help and put your mind at ease.
Don’t rely on insurance companies
Insurance companies don’t act in your best interest; in fact, they will try to make a profit by paying as little money as possible when there’s an accident. This is also true for your own insurance company; while the representative may speak with you in a friendly and helpful way, that doesn’t mean they are reliable, and it’s not a good idea to give them a detailed statement about the accident. Also, avoid accepting compensation without first discussing it with a legal expert.
The employer’s insurance company won’t hesitate to use your statements against you when given the chance to do so. They could also say that your current injury is a preexisting condition due to your past injuries rather than a new one. To help fight these counterclaims, it’s essential to have an attorney by your side and ensure you will get maximum compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
Keep records of your injuries, financial losses and recovery
For your compensation claim to be successful, it’s important to gather information about your injuries and recovery. This record can include videos as well as photos, helping you work out how much compensation you could get. The details that should be recorded include your symptoms, the discomfort you feel, how it is impacting your everyday life, the ongoing issues, your medical treatment, and the healing process.
Moreover, you should also document the financial expenses you incur, including lost work income, expenses for medical appointments (for example, travel), prescription costs, care costs, loss of money due to cancellations of events like a holiday, and so on.
Give yourself time to recover physically and emotionally
Finally, if your GP recommends taking time off after the work accident, you should follow their advice, as this will help you recover as quickly as possible. While many employees are tempted to rush back to work after suffering an injury, this can make things worse, so it’s better to avoid doing that.
Instead, give yourself time to heal and rest properly. Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations, eat nutritious foods that will help your injuries recover, and make sure to also seek support for your mental health. Often, an accident at work can leave you feeling a lot of overwhelming emotions which you may not know how to cope with. A therapist can help you process what has happened and give you the support you need to get through this experience.
The bottom line
No one ever wants to be involved in an accident, but sometimes, the inevitable can happen, and it’s important to be prepared and know what steps to take in that case. As you can see, the process can be complicated, so make sure to understand your rights and seek the support you need.