Enduring an injury at work can have long term ramifications and should always be addressed with the greatest of care. And if you are at risk of an extended recovery period, long term issues, or loss of work, it is important to take the time to consider the options available in seeking compensation in the wake of professional negligence.
So, what should you do if you suffer an injury at work and action should you take if you are considering a potential claim?
What should you do following an injury?
Receive immediate care: Once an accident occurs, it is important to seek first-aid and safely treat the situation on-site. If this is the case, the designated first aider should be on hand to help deal with burns, breaks, or lacerations – helping to dress an injury, provide short-term care, or help stabilise the individual until an ambulance arrives.
Report the incident: No matter whether you suffer an accident on an industrial site or in a busy office, your business should have plans and protocols in place for you to follow. At a minimum, this should involve reporting to your dedicated first aid officer who should record the incident in the logbook and provide any care necessary or escalate the issue if required. This allows for all details surrounding the accident to be accurately captured along with witness details who can be sought for future testimony. This should include dates, times, and photographs, alongside other salient information.
Follow on care: Once an incident has been fully detailed, the individual affected should seek an immediate appointment with a doctor. This will allow the full extent of their injuries and ensure that any follow-on complications are avoided. It is worth remembering that even a simple trip and fall can have complications and issues around damaged muscles, torn ligaments, or internal injuries often having serious ramifications that can be asymptomatic until it is too late. Attending a doctor also allows you to be provided with official medical records that can prove essential if a claim or legal action is judged to be appropriate.
Follow your protocol: Once your injury has been assessed and is being treated, it is important that the company follows established processes. If there are no processes, this can be a clear signpost of negligence and cause potential harm to others unless action is taken to address them.
Should you claim?
If your employer has been negligent in their responsibilities to its staff, you are in your full legal rights to claim for compensation. In many situations, workplace incidents can be easily avoided and following up with legal action will ensure the required changes are made in a timely manner to prevent future incidents.
If you are considering a claim, be sure to take your own photographs and records of the incident as soon as possible after it happens. This can be on your phone when you are in the process of receiving treatment along with the details of witnesses – ideally accompanied by notes and drawings of specific details of the incident.
It is also worth remembering that the claim should be paid out by your employer’s insurance and that any attempts to put pressure on you to drop your claim or influence your decision in any way are highly serious and should be recorded. If your accident results in you being unable to work for an extended period of time, a legitimate claim can help provide for yourself and your loved ones while you’re waiting to get back on your feet. However, it is worth remembering that there is a time limit on many claims and making a claim as soon as possible after the incident is often highly advisable.
In short, it is a decision that you and you alone can make. But if you are interested in learning more about the options available to you and the strength of your case, our team at Wafer Philips are here and on your side.
Get in touch
If you want to learn more about the options available to you in the wake of an accident, our team at Wafer Philips are here to help. With many years’ experience providing professional care to clients in a range of sectors, we work to help you to better understand your options and ensure that you make the right choice in what can often be an extremely stressful situation.
You can review our list of services from here or you can take a look at our testimonials.
If you have specific questions about your case or feel that you have a potential claim, please do not hesitate to get in touch directly and let our team know exactly what you need.
