When you turn up for work each day, you expect to be able to complete your job within a safe environment. Sadly, that’s not always the case, and when accidents do happen, it’s important to know what should happen next.

If you are injured at work, it is essential to report the accident as soon as possible. Reporting an accident can help ensure that you receive the medical attention you need, and it can also help protect your rights as an employee.

Here are five reasons why you should always report an accident at work.

1. You may be entitled to compensation if you are injured on the job.

No one wants to be involved in an accident at work, but when it happens, and you then have unexpected bills to cope with, it makes a bad situation even worse. If your employer is at fault for the accident, then you can claim compensation to help cover the cost of any treatment you need as well as lost earnings.

You may also have other expenses, so if you’re unable to drive to take your children to school, you may need childcare services; you may also need to hire a dog walker or get someone in to help keep your home tidy.

Then you may also be able to if you’re to sue your employer for the pain and suffering caused by the accident.

2. It can help prevent further accidents from happening.

Accidents at work can often be prevented if the right safety measures are in place. If an accident does happen and it is reported, then an investigation can take place to find out what went wrong and how to stop it from happening again. This could involve changes to how work is carried out or providing additional safety equipment.

By reporting an accident, you could prevent someone else from having to go through what you’ve experienced.

3. You may need time off work to recover.

If you are injured in an accident at work, you will likely need some time off to recover. By reporting the accident, your employer will be aware of the situation and can make arrangements for you to take the time you need to recover without putting your job at risk.

If you just go off sick, your employer may be concerned that you are not really ill and could take disciplinary action against you. You may also find that you’re not paid your full salary if you go off sick, whereas if you take sick leave that’s been approved in advance and as a result of the accident, then you will still get paid your full salary.

4. Your employer has a legal duty to report certain types of accidents.

Your employer is required by law to report some types of accidents, including those that result in death, significant injury, or the hospitalization of more than three people. By reporting the accident yourself, you can be sure that it will be recorded and that your employer is meeting its legal obligations.

In the UK, for example, there are a range of incidents that must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive, and these include –

• The death of any person
• Fractures other than to fingers, thumbs, and toes
• Amputations
• Injuries that are likely to lead to permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight
• Crush injuries to the head or torso, causing damage to the brain or internal organs
• Serious burns (including scalding) which cover more than 10% of the body
• Loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia

5. Provides a record of the accident

If you are injured in an accident at work and don’t report it, there will be no official record of the incident. This could make it more difficult to prove that the accident happened if you later decide to make a compensation claim.

You might think that you’ll remember the details of the accident, but it’s often surprising how quickly things can become unclear, especially if you’re injured and in pain. Having a written record will help to ensure that all the important details are captured.

We also recommend that you make your own notes as soon as possible after the accident while everything is still fresh in your mind. Include details such as where and when the accident happened, what you were doing at the time, how it happened, and what injuries you sustained. If there were any witnesses to the accident, make a note of their names and contact details.

If you have photos of the scene of the accident or your injuries, these can also be helpful.

Advice For Claiming Compensation

If you want to make a compensation claim, you should get advice from a solicitor who specializes in workplace accidents. They will be able to assess your case and advise you on the best course of action. Most legal professionals offer an initial free consultation, so it’s worth taking advantage of this.

You should also be aware that there are time limits in place for making a claim. In the UK, for example, you usually have three years from the date of the accident to start legal proceedings. This may seem like a long time, but it’s important to remember that investigation can take time. It’s also worth bearing in mind that you may only be aware of some of the injuries you’ve sustained immediately after the accident; other issues may only become evident days or weeks after the event.  It’s, therefore, best to get advice as soon as possible.

Our Roundup

These are just a few of the reasons why you should always report an accident at work. Not only will it help prevent someone else from being injured in the future, but you will also have a record of the incident if you later decide to make a claim for compensation.

If you have been injured in an accident at work, we recommend getting in touch with a solicitor who specializes in workplace accidents for advice on your next steps.