This guide explains what to do after an accident at work, including seeking legal advice.
Suffering an injury in a workplace accident can be stressul, traumatic and worrying. Below, we provide expert tips from our accident at work solicitors to ensure you make the best steps for your own wellbeing.
For any information regarding accidents at work, please contact an advisor. They are available at any time of day to answer your questions. You can reach them by:
- Calling 0151 375 9916.
- Going online to contact us.
- Sending a live chat message below
What To Do After An Accident At Work
Accidents at work could cause injuries that vary in nature and severity.
In extreme cases, the injuries a person suffers could be life-changing. A roofer falling from scaffolding, for example, could suffer damage to their spinal cord, as well as broken bones.
Even minor injuries like cuts, grazes, strains and sprains can cause pain, frustration and inconvenience, not to mention financial costs.
The steps you take after an accident at work can be very important not just for your own health, but for any legal action you decide to take too.
Let’s look at our best pieces of advice on what to do after an accident at work.
Get Medical Help
The first step should be to seek medical attention.
There should also be a designated first aider on site, even if this is an office environment. If further treatment is needed for the injuries, it’s best to get help from professionals by going to the hospital or walk-in centre.
If you do not need to call 999, you can still call 111 or visit a GP to have your injury assessed at a later date.
Record What Happened In The Accident Book
Another step you should take when possible is ensuring that the incident is logged by your workplace, ideally in a work accident book.
The accident book is an important document. It contains your account of what happened and what you believe the cause of the accident to be. It also offers an account of the accident very close to when it happened, so being fresh in people’s minds it’s regarded as more accurate. You should only sign the accident book if you agree with what’s written.
By law, certain accidents must be reported under a piece of legislation named RIDDOR. For example, any fatalities must be reported, as well as any specified injuries. These include fractures, amputations, and burn injuries, among others.
Your employer should make a report to RIDDOR within 10 days of the accident.
Gather Evidence
To help support your potential claim, you could gather evidence. This could include medical records after you have sought medical attention and a copy of the incident report from the accident book.
Additionally, you could gather:
- CCTV footage of the accident and its cause.
- Photographs of the scene that show any causes, as well as any visible injuries.
- Witness contact information.
- A diary tracking your treatment, symptoms and their physical or emotional toll.
Get Legal Advice
You could seek legal advice to determine whether you’re eligible to seek personal injury compensation.
When it comes to accident at work claims, many solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you can get free legal advice on your case before you decide to take legal action.
This is a service we offer here at JF Law. You can reach out to us now via our free helpline and ask us any questions you like. We can vet your case and advise you as to whether or not we feel like you could be successful.
We Can Help You Make An Accident At Work Claim
Our solicitors may be able to represent your accident at work claim if it’s valid. Having the dedicated guidance of an experienced personal injury solicitor could benefit you as they can ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible for you.
A solicitor could offer a Conditional Fee Agreement, a No Win No Fee arrangement that requires no payment for their service:
- In advance;
- At any time during the case;
- Afterwards, if the case loses.
A success fee is taken if a claim wins. Your solicitor would take a small percentage of your compensation, with The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013 capping the proportion that can go to them.
Talking to an advisor, as well as giving you the chance to learn more about workplace accident claims, gives you the chance to have your case assessed. If you have valid grounds to proceed, you could have a solicitor assigned to your case.
Talk to an advisor today for more information:
- Call 0151 375 9916.
- Contact us through our site.
- Start a live chat conversation below.
