What to Do If You're Involved In An Accident at Work

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According to a recent study, “there are about 340 million occupational accidents and 160 million victims of work-related illnesses annually.” As such, if you’ve been involved in some kind of workplace accident, you aren’t alone. While it is the responsibility of the employer to curate a health and safety plan that prevents employee accidents and injuries, these plans are not foolproof and it’s important that you know what to do should the worst happen.

Photo by Payam Tahery on Unsplash

For example, you should:

Seek immediate help. Whether you trip and fall, or get injured when using heavy machinery or equipment, it’s important that you seek help and assistance as soon as possible. If you’re seriously injured, this will ensure that you receive medical assistance as soon as possible, reducing the severity of the situation quite considerably. If your injuries are minor, you should follow company protocol, which typically involves speaking to a member of your team who is trained in first-aid.

Fill in an accident report. After receiving medical help and support, it’s crucial that you fill in an accident report at your place of work. This information is important for various reasons. Firstly, it can support your claim should you choose to file a lawsuit. It can also be used to determine whether or not your employer/workplace is at fault, and whether health and safety plans and procedures need to be changed accordingly. This can work to ensure there is not a repeat of the situation you find yourself in.

Seek compensation.

There are many reasons why you should seek compensation for your injuries. For example, you may be facing mounting medical bills, or suffering from a loss of income as your injury requires you to take time off work. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer is a great way to take care of your best interests, without the stress of trying to navigate the complex legal landscape on your own. After all, they will do all of the hard work on your behalf – from gathering evidence to submitting the claim.

Focus on recovery.

After an accident, it’s important that you do not get back up and on your feet, before you are ready. Doing so will not speed up the recovery process – and it could be making the situation worse, rather than better. Remember: your body needs time and more importantly rest, to recover properly. As such, you should ensure that you follow all medical advice so that you are giving yourself the best shot at a smooth, quick recovery.

After an accident, it’s easy to prioritize your physical health. However, you should also make sure you are taking care of your mental health too. After all, the emotional fallout can be just as devastating – especially if you are worried about returning to work. As such, you should take some time to work on processing any complex emotions that arise, as opposed to trying to push them to the side. This will ensure you return to work in the right headspace.