While it is the responsibility of employers to develop health and safety plans that reduce the risks of workplace accidents taking place, accidents can and do happen every single day. As such, it is vital that workers are aware of their rights and know exactly what to do in the aftermath of an accident in order to protect their best interests.

Step One: Seek Medical Attention.

Seeking medical attention should be your number one priority in the aftermath of an accident. After all, acting fast and receiving the care you need can save your life, even if you feel as though your injury is relatively minor. For example, the symptoms of concussion are often delayed, meaning that you may not be aware of them for several hours – whereas a healthcare professional will be able to deduce whether or not you are at risk and need further attention and care.

Step Two: Document The Accident. 

After receiving some kind of medical attention, you should ensure that you document the accident. Often, this begins by filling in an incident report form at your workplace. This report should cover the following: 

• The date and time the accident took place
• The circumstances of the accident (i.e., a report on what happened)
• The names and contact details of any eyewitnesses or involved parties
• The details of any injuries sustained, supported by medical reports and documents

Different workplaces will have different systems in place for how quickly accidents should be reported – and it’s important that you are as prompt as possible. 

Failing to properly document your accident means you have less evidence to support you if you choose to seek compensation. It likely also means that no changes will be made to prevent a similar incident from occurring again in the future, putting your safety and the safety of your colleagues at risk once again.

To support your statement, you may also want to ask eyewitnesses to write and submit their own reports. 

Step Three: Contact An Attorney. 

A workplace accident can have a profound impact on your life. For example, you could be dealing with an injury that requires you to take time off work or pay for expensive medical treatment. The accident could also have a profound effect on your mental health, leaving you dealing with prolonged feelings of stress and anxiety. 

In these instances, it is important that those responsible are held accountable. One way in which you can achieve this goal is by working with workers comp attorneys to receive compensation for your ordeal. 

While taking legal action against your employer may sound daunting, it is important that you do not shy away from doing so. After all, it was their responsibility to create a safe working environment. 

Working with a workers comp lawyer increases the chances of you achieving the optimal outcome in court – which often means that you’ll gain access to the funds you rightly deserve. They’ll also be able to answer any questions you may have about the legal process so that you are able to move forward with your head held high.