Rise above your fall: What to do if you have an accident at your place of work

Having an accident at work claim can be stressful for many reasons. You likely depend on your job as a steady source of income, and you can’t work if you’re injured. However, there are precautions you can take to prevent accidents, as well as information that will help you in the case of a serious accident. Are you wondering how you can rise above your accident woes? Just keep reading.

Before an accident happens

There are certain steps you can take as an employee to ensure your own safety at work, regardless of what industry you work in. First, if your company has a safety policy, it is a good idea to make sure that you know it well. If you have any questions or additional safety concerns, don’t hesitate to bring it up to your employer. There  could safety hazards that you encounter in the process of doing your job that he or she hasn’t considered.

You should also keep in mind the nature of your work when you consider how to prevent accidents. A construction worker and an office assistant, for example, face different dangers over the course of a normal work day, but a little foresight and caution can help each stay safe.

What you should expect from your employer

By law, your employer is required to have insurance that would cover any kind of accident claim brought against the company by current or former employees. Employers are also required to document any accidents that happen on the job. If you are involved in an accident, even if it is a small, seemingly insignificant incident, you should take care to make sure that your employer records it. This record can work in your favour in the instance that you experience symptoms that stem from an earlier accident because it can play a part in filing a claim for compensation.

Taking legal action

No matter who your employer is, you are guaranteed statutory sick pay if you meet the minimum requirements. Some employers also offer additional sick pay, though it isn’t legally obligated. And, if you suffer medical injuries from an accident that your employer is liable for, you can also seek compensation from the company. In order to do this, you will need to seek independent legal counsel.

Ultimately, the best way to sort out any possible accident claims is to work with your employer to stop an accident before it happens. And if you find yourself in need of legal counsel to file an accident claim, you should try to work with your employer afterwards to make a plan so that it never happens again.

Guest blog post on behalf of Irwin Mitchell