Workplace Accidents - What Should Happen Next?

Every minute of every hour of every day someone somewhere is injured in an accident at work whether it be in a factory, on a building site, in an office or a shop.

Tim Cogan, Partner at Tinsdills, sets out steps which if taken immediately following an accident can avoid problems at a later stage.

When someone is injured in an accident whether minor or more serious they are often in shock and do not know what to do. The first priority is to get appropriate medical treatment for the injury whether from a trained first aider at the workplace, from a GP or from a Hospital Accident & Emergency Department.

It is also important that the circumstances of the accident are correctly recorded in an accident book – any entries made should be checked before being signed. An incorrect version of events being given at this stage could mislead the employers and any independent investigation into the circumstances of the accident. This can also cause problems in claiming Social Security Benefits. If there are witnesses to the accident obtain their contact details and if possible take photographs of the accident scene before it changes – camera phones are very useful for this.

If you are absent from work check your contract if employed to see if you are entitled to company sick pay in those circumstances. In addition you may be entitled to claim Social Security Benefits of various types.

Finally if you feel that the accident was someone else’s fault contact a properly accredited local Solicitor to obtain advice – this shouldn’t cost you anything.

By taking these steps you can prevent a simple accident from becoming a complicated crisis and help ease the financial burden which accidents create.

At Tinsdills Solicitors we:-

• Offer free initial interviews including home and hospital visits.
• Recover millions of pounds in damages every year.
• Specialise in:-
- Injuries at work including industrial diseases;
- Severe spinal and head injury claims;
- Road traffic accidents;
- All general accident claims.

If you require any further information about how we could help you
with any of these matters please contact our personal injury department on 01782 652300 or email: lawyers@tinsdills.co.uk