N4M Network: 7 Steps To Take If You’ve Been Injured At The Workplace

Workplace accidents happen often – every day, employees are exposed to potential dangers. It doesn’t matter if they work from an office or a riskier environment; there’s always a possibility to get harmed.

On a global scale, millions of workers are victims of workplace accidents or fall ill due to their work environment. And unfortunately, some of these illnesses are fatal. Severe accidents can happen for multiple reasons: falls and slips, vehicle crashes, being hit by hard objects, etc.

Luckily, safety procedures can help you reduce the risk of suffering a work accident. For every workplace, there are rules that employees should follow to prevent harmful situations. Companies must ensure a safe environment and inform workers about the aftermath of breaking the rules.

However, accidents can still happen even if these precautions are taken. If you are a workplace accident victim, it’s critical to know what steps to take next.

You might not know how to respond to this traumatic experience or deal with the legal aspects.

Here’s what you can do if you’ve suffered a workplace accident:

Assess your injuries

Assessing your injuries is the first step to take if you’ve suffered a workplace accident. Evaluate your health state and look for any potential life-threatening element. Right after the accident, ask for help from a co-worker. They can get a first aid kit – there should be one, as they are vital in such situations.

Although you don’t find the injuries severe, you should stay still. Moving can be dangerous for your muscular system, so it’s better not to do anything that could put your life at risk.

Once you get first aid, the next thing you should do is seek medical support. What might seem like a minor injury now could cause serious health issues in the future, so make sure you contact a specialist. They can examine your injuries and check if the accident can lead to complications. They might also suggest medical investigations, like a CT scan, MRI or blood test.

Talk to your manager

If you’ve suffered an accident at work, your manager should also know – so make sure you talk to them.

Suppose you sustained severe injuries, reporting the incident is their duty. You might hesitate to speak to your manager if you consider the accident was your fault. But that doesn’t have to stop you from informing them. Legally speaking, your employer is also at fault, even in that case.

They are responsible for ensuring the team’s safety and preventing any health risks. An accident is a sign that the workplace rules weren’t followed correctly; thus, the employer is directly involved in the situation.

Besides reporting the incident, employers should also pay sick days and give workers time off to recover.

Man fixing car engine (Representative image, Photo by Malte Luk)

Hire an injury attorney

After a workplace accident, besides overcoming your physical and emotional traumas, you also have to proceed with the legal actions. It might be pretty overwhelming to handle the situation, particularly if you don’t have the proper knowledge. But you don’t have to go through it alone – a personal injury attorney can take charge of your case. Getting support from a legal expert will make you feel more at ease, as they can provide advice on what steps you should follow next.

They can tell you how to sue the company or the employer and how to claim compensation for an accident at work.

Gather the necessary evidence

Gathering evidence is essential if you want to make a claim. However, you might not know where to start and, thus, quickly become overwhelmed.

The first thing you should do is take photos and videos of the accident scene – if your injuries allow you to do so. This will serve as evidence, showing details about the work environment and equipment. For instance, a photo can demonstrate that a tool could cause an accident because it wasn’t secured.

Secondly, it’s crucial to look for witnesses, as they can provide details about the event. After the accident, you might be hurt and scared, but a witness can talk to authorities from an objective perspective.

Keep a record of everything

After sustaining an injury at work, it’s essential to record all the essential elements. The notes can be beneficial when you make the compensation claim.

Make sure you note the days you miss from work. This is crucial because you can get wage replacement payments after being out of work for seven days.

You should also track the expenses of your medical treatment. Include medications, treatments, as well as every appointment with your doctor.

These details are crucial because they will help your compensation lawyer calculate your losses. Without them, it might be complicated to get the compensation you deserve.

Prevent other accidents

You can use your experience to avoid potential accidents from happening in the future. Although you were the victim, the accident most likely affected your co-workers too. Although it isn’t recommended to share medical information with them, you can listen to their concerns.

Evaluate the situation and talk to your employer. Let them know you want to help lower the risk of someone suffering an injury in the future.

Your employer might find different solutions, like investing in training, education, or other resources. They might also organise regular inspections.

If your employer wants to create a safe environment at work, they’ll make changes. But when they don’t make it a priority, make sure to inform your compensation lawyer.

Focus on your recovery

Sure, making a claim is crucial, but you should also take care of yourself. Remember, it takes time to heal and be patient. Follow your doctor’s advice and make sure you get enough rest to recover as quickly as possible.

Stay hydrated, eat healthy meals and surround yourself with people who can support you during the healing process.

The bottom line

No one wants to experience an accident at work. However, it’s crucial to be prepared if something wrong happens. Knowing your rights and how to respond to such an incident will help you manage the situation effectively.