Although the workplace should offer a safe and comfortable environment for employees to work in, accidents at work are unfortunately all too common. If you have been affected by an accident in the workplace, you may be able to pursue compensation.

There are many situations in which you may be able to make a personal injury claim; it does not matter whether you were working as a full-time employee, a part-time employee, a temporary worker, a self-employed contractor or were just visiting a place of business or workplace at the time of the incident. 

Injuries sustained in the workplace often arise out of the following scenarios:

• Accidents involving faulty equipment

• Injuries sustained as a result of manual handling operations and lifting heavy objects

• Incidents as a result of the condition of the premises in which you were working, including slips, trips and falls

• Exposure to dangerous substances or chemicals

• Falls from heights such as ladders or scaffolding

• Accidents involving dangerous machinery

• Personal injury caused by incidents involving vehicles such as fork lift trucks

• Psychiatric and associated injuries resulting from stress at work

• Injury sustained as a result of an assault or harassment from a person at work

So if I have suffered an accident in the workplace, what should I do?

• Seek medical attention – even if you are feeling ok, it is important to get checked over.

• Report the accident to the relevant person at the business/workplace. 

• If you are requested to complete or to sign an accident/incident form, ensure that the details in that form accurately reflect what happened.

• If possible, take photographs of the accident location.

• Get the details of any witnesses including their telephone numbers – and their own accounts of what happened. 

• Keep your own record of the incident – this can include writing down what happened and taking photos of any injuries sustained

• Keep records of all expenses that you may have incurred as a result of the incident and any injuries sustained - for example, loss of earnings, travel expenses and any medication costs.

If you have been involved in a serious incident at work, it may be the case that the business/workplace will need to undertake an investigation into the matter, and/or report the matter to the Health and Safety Executive depending upon the seriousness of the accident and/or injuries that you have sustained.

It is important that if possible, you co-operate with this investigation – learning points often result from these investigations that are important for the safety of those attending the workplace and business going forwards.

If you have had an accident in the workplace and suffered an injury in the last 3 years, and you would like advice on the matter, please contact the team at Prettys on 01473 232121 or e-mail Louise Plant at lplant@prettys.co.uk