If you have an accident at work, time is of the essence to make a claim and receive compensation. It’s vital that you know your rights and who you can turn to for help, advice and legal services.
Report the accident
After an accident at work you should report it to your employer right away. Your employer should have an accident book or file where they log any accidents that occur on the premises and they should add your accident to it right away. If they don’t have an accident book, or if they don’t add it to the log book, you should write down the details of the accident yourself and create two copies of it – one that you send to your boss and one that you keep for yourself. In this letter you should write down your name; your employer’s name; the name of your place of work; the date; the date of the accident; the events of the accident; and the nature of your injuries. If you are asked to sign any documents pertaining to your accident, make sure that the information matches your version of the events and do not sign anything else without reading it thoroughly.
Refer to a doctor
Even if you have only minor injuries, you should see a doctor to receive more details about your injuries and to get a professional diagnosis that you can use if you need to make a claim later on. If you are asked to attend ongoing doctors’ appointments then you should so. Similarly, if your doctor advises that you take time off of work in order for you to recover then you should heed their advice and inform your employer.
Make a claim
If you believe that you are entitled to compensation for your injury, you have to do so within 3 years of your accident. You also need to make sure that you have all of the necessary information about your injury and the accident before you try to make a claim. You can receive legal advice about an accident at work claim from a solicitor who will also take action to help you make your claim and receive compensation for your injuries. While not everyone will be able to successfully make a claim, your grounds for yours will be strengthened if:
- You didn’t receive training from your employer
- You weren’t properly informed by your employer about safety protocols and appropriate ways to use safety equipment
- The equipment at your workplace has not been adequately maintained and lacked safety features
- The workplace risks were not properly communicated to you
- Your place of work lacked staff trained in first aid
Return to work
If you have recovered from your accident and feel as though you are ready to return to work, speak to your doctor to ensure that you are fit enough. If you have been given the all clear from them, you should contact your employer and discuss the terms of your return to work. Your doctor may recommend that you take things easy, in which case you can speak to your employer about working part time or reducing strenuous activities for a while.
If you believe that your place of work is not a safe place to return to, you can contact your trade union (if you have one) for further advice.
