Legally, one of your employer’s duties is to ensure that you are safe at work and to follow
health and safety regulations. However, accidents do still happen, and it is important to know what to do when the worst occurs. If you have had an accident at work, read on to find out what the appropriate steps that you can take are.
- Record the accident in the accident log
Every employer has to have an accident log by law, where all accidents and injuries in the workplace have to be recorded. You should record your accident so that you can prove what happened if you decide to seek compensation or if you need to go on sick leave due to the injury. Accident books are also there for your employer to refer to when improving their health and safety plans. Therefore, one of the first steps that you should take is recording the accident in the accident log. - Discuss the accident with your employer
If you feel as if you need to go on sick leave or that you want compensation, you should
discuss the case with your employer before taking action. Most disputes can be resolved in this way before ever having to go to court, and most employers will be willing to oblige and listen to your concerns for the future. - Check it has been reported
You should also check that your employer has reported major incidents to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) as soon as possible and followed up with written paperwork within 10 days. If the injury has lasted for over seven days, it should be reported within 15 days. This will alert the authorities to any potential issues that need to be investigated, such as risks to health and the potential spread of disease. - Speak to a trade union
If you believe that your rights at work have been breached, you should also speak to your relevant trade union if you are in an industry where you are assigned to a union. These can often provide you with legal advice such as how to receive compensation, and this will be more specific to your individual industry than general legal advice. They will also help to solve potential problems on your behalf if you believe that your workplace contains many safety risks which could damage your health in the future. - Seek guidance from a lawyer
If the case is not resolved through any of these methods, then you should seek guidance
from a lawyer or legal advice team. At the-compensation-experts.co.uk, they seek to help you resolve your case and give you advice on the next steps to take. If you decide to make a compensation claim or go to court, their legal service and expert lawyers can also direct you as to the next step and ensure that you get the positive outcome that you deserve.If you have been in an accident at work that was at the fault of your employers, such as unsafe scaffolding or a lack of health and safety, you are entitled to seek the appropriate compensation. You can do this by following the simple steps above.
