Workplace Accident Compensation Claim: The immediate steps you should take following an accident at work before claiming UK work injury compensation

Find out the practical steps you should take immediately following an injury at work to ensure you have as much evidence as possible to support your workplace accident compensation claim; you receive the correct medical treatment for your injuries and your employer makes an accurate record of your accident.

What should you do immediately following a workplace accident to support your compensation claim in the UK?

As soon as you are aware that you have received an injury at work you should:

1. Report the accident to your supervisor.

2. Report your injury to the workplace first aid representative.

3. Report your accident to your union representative if you are a member of a union.

4. Ensure your accident details are entered into the workplace accident book – only sign the entry if you agree with the description given.

5. Seek medical attention from your workplace surgery, if available, or attend at the hospital or your GP ensuring that you describe all of your injuries no matter how small they may seem – it is important you have a full record on your medical notes.

6. Complete a workplace accident questionnaire as soon as you can – the closer to your accident this is completed the more accurate your description is likely to be and the quicker your employer can act to remove the danger to other workers.

7. Assist your supervisor in investigating your accident – to allow a report of your accident to be completed. The more accurate the report the better for your compensation claim.

8. Notify your employer of any absence due to your workplace accident – your employer must report your accident to the Health and Safety Executive if it results in you having sick leave for three days or more.

9. Keep a diary of all your physical symptoms – what they are and on what dates. Remember any psychological symptoms including shock, sleepless nights, unusual mood variations should also be recorded.

10. Keep a record, as well as any receipts, for all the expenses you have as a result of the accident including: lost income, prescription expenses, travel expenses to and from the hospital or your G.P, etc. These expenses can all form part of your workplace accident compensation claim.

Supervisor Assisting In A Workplace Injury

Why is it important to report your accident to your employer?

Many workers feel awkward asking their employer to properly record and investigate their workplace accident.  We often hear of the fear of bad feelings from an employer on return to work.

Although such concerns are understandable – you should not be worried. In many ways you are helping your employer keep a proper record, as the law requires.

These are not only important steps for supporting a workplace accident compensation claim, but also to allow an employer to have full information to prevent a similar – perhaps far worse – accident from occurring.

Remember your employer’s insurance will pay for your compensation claim, so your employer will understand that it is your right to make a claim.

Workplace accident compensation summary and next steps

You have seen the important steps you should take immediately following a workplace accident to support your compensation claim – ensuring not only that your employer makes accurate records of your accident, but also you receive the best treatment for your injuries.

Sometimes your employer may disagree with you as to how your workplace accident happened, so it is important you know what records you can rely on to prove your compensation claim

Discuss your work accident with our specialist solicitors free of charge

See our specialist solicitor free online / telephone help to ask an online work accident claim question or arrange a solicitor callback.