Every employer has a legal duty to protect their employees in every way possible. They must implement stringent health and safety rules, and ensure that every staff member abides by these rules at all times.
But even with extensive health and safety regulations in place, accidents and injuries can still happen. Plus, workers don’t always follow the rules of the workplace or might not even be aware of them. As a result, they may fail to use equipment properly or cause injuries due to negligence.
If you get injured at work due to somebody else’s incompetence, negligence, or error, you might be entitled to compensation. However, there are a number of steps that you need to take in order to get the compensation that you deserve.
Table of Contents
What Steps Should You Take if You’ve Been Injured at Work?
Below, we’re going to cover the key steps that you should take when you have sustained an injury at work.
Get medical help
When you’ve been injured at work, your top priority should always be yourself. Before you contact a civil litigation lawyer or a personal injury attorney, you must first get medical help for any cuts, fractures, or sprains.
Every workplace must have a first aid kit on-site by law. Ask your colleagues to help you wrap up any cuts or wounds to prevent excessive bleeding, and contact emergency services as soon as possible.
If you’re able to walk around easily, you may not need to call emergency services and you can make your own way to the nearest hospital. When you arrive at the hospital, medical staff will perform diagnostic scans and tests to identify the extent of your injuries.
Report the incident to your employer
After you’ve received the necessary medical help for your injuries, you need to contact your employer. Inform them of what has happened in as much detail as possible.
Your employer will need to file an accident report so they will ask you for information about what happened before, during, and after the incident. If there were any witnesses to the accident, they may also need to speak to your employer.
Arrange a meeting with your employer to run through the details of the accident. Make sure to take plenty of notes during the meeting so that you know exactly what has been said. These notes will be used by your attorney if you decide to take legal action.
Contact an expert lawyer
If you’re unable to settle with your employer, you might need to take legal action. Contact a lawyer that specializes in civil litigation or personal injuries.
An expert lawyer will take all of the details of the incident and use them to create a case. Your attorney may also speak to witnesses and gather evidence to strengthen your case and help you gain compensation for your injuries and trauma.
If your employer has CCTV footage of the incident, your lawyer will also use this to increase your chances of successfully getting a payout.
