Making sure a workplace accident is properly recorded can help protect your rights and preserve important evidence.
Accidents can happen in almost any workplace, from construction sites and warehouses to offices, restaurants and retail premises. If you are injured while carrying out your job, reporting the accident as soon as possible is an important step.
Creating an accurate record of what happened may help establish the circumstances of the accident and can become important evidence if you later need to pursue a personal injury compensation claim.
Report the Accident to Your Employer
If you suffer a work-related injury, you should inform your employer, manager or the appropriate person within your organisation as soon as reasonably possible.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises employees who have suffered a work-related injury to inform their employer. Depending on the circumstances, certain workplace incidents may also need to be formally reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, commonly known as RIDDOR.
It is important to understand that employees do not normally submit RIDDOR reports themselves. The legal responsibility generally falls on the “responsible person”, which can include employers, certain self-employed people or those in control of work premises.
Make Sure There Is a Record
Where your workplace has an accident book or another incident-recording system, make sure the accident is properly documented.
Important information can include the date and time of the accident, where it occurred, how it happened and details of the injuries sustained.
The HSE explains that its Accident Book is designed to record work-related injuries and incidents and can assist employers in meeting relevant health and safety and social security requirements.
Preserve Evidence After the Accident
Reporting the incident is only one part of protecting your position. Evidence relating to the accident should also be preserved wherever possible.
Keep copies of medical records, hospital or GP documents, photographs of the accident location and any relevant correspondence with your employer. If colleagues or other people witnessed what happened, their names and contact details may also be useful.
You should also retain evidence of financial losses connected with the injury, such as payslips showing lost earnings, travel expenses or treatment-related costs.
Some Accidents Have Additional Reporting Requirements
Not every workplace accident must be reported to the HSE under RIDDOR. However, certain work-related deaths, specified injuries, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences are reportable. Accidents resulting in a worker being unable to perform their normal duties for more than seven consecutive days can also trigger RIDDOR reporting requirements.
This is separate from your own potential right to seek compensation following an injury.
Get Advice About Your Rights
Workplace accident claims can involve questions about responsibility, evidence, the extent of the injury and applicable legal deadlines. Obtaining legal advice at an early stage can help you understand your options and determine what evidence may be required.
Miya Solicitors provides professional legal support to help you understand your rights following an accident at work and guide you through the compensation claims process.
Sources:
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – Reporting accidents under RIDDOR:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/reporting/index.htm
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – Types of Reportable Incidents:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/types-of-reportable-incidents.htm
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – Accident Book:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/accident-book.htm
