Have you suffered an injury at work? Knowing what to do next isn’t always easy. Working out who is liable for the incident, if there will be any lasting ramifications, and whether you’ll have to take time out of work are just some of the questions that need answering.
Fortunately, below we provide some fundamental steps to take if you’re unsure of what to do next.
How common are workplace injuries?
Incidents in the workplace are more common than you may realize. In published figures from HSE, 565,000 workers suffered an injury at work, according to the Labour Force Survey.
Just over 61,000 injuries were reported under RIDDOR, the official incident reporting regulation, so it’s likely that many more injuries occur than are officially recognized.
Despite injuries being a common occurrence in workplaces, each circumstance is personal to the individual. You’re probably less concerned about other people’s plights and more about your own recovery and next steps – so see these below.
Steps to take after an injury at work
Events immediately following an accident at work can be overwhelming and sometimes bewildering, so here are some necessary steps to follow if you’re unsure:
Get medical assistance if required:
The most important thing, first and foremost, is your health and well-being. Seek medical assistance as soon as possible if necessary. Your supervisor may refer you to a specific doctor and you should visit that doctor. Your employer is responsible for providing all the costs to visit the doctor, including the travel costs, and the cost of the physician and the hospital. You’re well within your rights to withdraw from work if you’re unable to continue with your duties.
Report the Accident to Your Supervisor:
After sustaining an injury at the workplace, you should immediately inform your supervisor about the incident. Your supervisor will guide you about all your rights. Once your health isn’t an immediate concern, be sure to report the accident to your supervisor. You should also follow the specific deadline for reporting the accident. Give as much detail as you can to make the report as thorough as possible. You should mention if there are any safety concerns and what changes you want to see to avoid occurring this type of accident.
File Your Claim:
It is important to file a compensation claim for your injury. However, you should follow the deadline for submitting a compensation claim. You can hire a compensation lawyer in case you decide to pursue legal action with a personal injury claims solicitor. In the case of hiring a lawyer, you should make sure that your lawyer is experienced and relevant to this case. To strengthen your lawsuit, it is essential that your lawyer has prior experience. To help your lawyer, you should provide important evidence of the accident. For that, you have to mention the date, time, and place of the accident. You should also gather the contact information of the witnesses and provide the information to your lawyer so that he or she can contact them.
Rest and recover at your own pace –
For more serious cases, you may need time to rest and recover from your injuries. Your employer is required to provide paid sick leave and give you time off work should it be needed. You may be suffering from physical and mental repercussions, so don’t be afraid to talk openly and honestly with the people around you, including your employer.
Discuss the next steps with your employer –
Returning to work after an accident can be challenging. It may have impacted your sense of safety and security, as well as your ability to complete work as you did previously. Talk about a phased return to work if you need it – rushing back into things could potentially do more damage to you and the business.
Taking the right steps after an injury at work is crucial to protect your health and ensure you can return to your duties when the time is right. Your employer should be understanding and support you along the way, although you can still look for compensation.
