It is a common saying that the majority of accidents occur in the home. However, a vast number of accidents also happen in the workplace every day. There are many causes of workplace injuries, ranging from the use of potentially dangerous equipment to insufficient health and safety training. If you are injured at work, there are a few things you should do immediately to lessen the severity of the accident.

Get Medical Assistance

This is obviously the most important thing to do in the event of an accident. Locate your workplace’s nearest first aid officer and get them to provide you with bandages, painkillers and plasters. Your workplace should have clearly posted signs highlighting who is responsible for health and safety and where your nearest first aid kit is kept.

Keep a Record of What Happened

It can be difficult to remember the exact sequence of events that let you to be injured even a couple of hours after your accident. Make a note of everything that happened, including what you were doing at the time and how extensively you were injured. You may need these notes at a later date for internal meetings or if your case goes to court.

Speak to Your Supervisor

Your immediate line manager should be told about your injury in order to keep the appropriate line of command informed. This should also be extended to your HR department. Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed that you had an accident – it is better for all concerned to be told as soon as possible.

Find Out Your Rights

In many cases, the accident is not the fault of the person who was injured. If this is the case for you, you may be entitled to some financial compensation. Speaking to a financial compensation lawyer is a great way to find out exactly what your rights are and if you are owed any money. Many of these lawyers give consultations for free and will only take payment if you win your case. Alternatively, speak to your local doctor – they may have come across cases like yours before and might be able to give you some advice.

Begin Any Necessary Legal Proceedings

If your workplace refuses to take responsibility for the accident and you have a strong case, it is important to start building a court case against them as soon as possible. If you haven’t spoken to an injury lawyer already, now is the perfect time. Begin collecting all of your notes about the accident, including any reports or information that was made at the hospital if you went to one. You should also ask around a few of your trusted co-workers who were present at the time of the accident – their testimony in a trial could be the difference between winning and losing your case.
Although a great number of accidents occur in the workplace, you are entitled as an employee to certain rights. Follow these steps if you have an accident to ensure you are protected against all circumstances.