Employee safety matters a great deal. Despite an employer’s best efforts, a workplace accident can still occur from time to time without notice. Being involved in any workplace accident can be distressing and confusing. That is why it’s essential to deal with these accidents in the right way to minimize serious complications.
It is an employer’s responsibility to ensure that the workers and the workplace are protected. They must have a plan in place before an incident even occurs. Any negligence by an employer or supervisor can lead to a severe accident.
If you or your loved one has been involved in a work-related tragedy, request legal assistance from our professional attorney to get compensated for your loss.
What Is A Workplace Accident?
A workplace can be dangerous, especially one with an industrial environment is prone to several accidents. These accidents are discrete sudden occurrences in the course of work leading to physical or mental injuries. Numerous factors can cause these accidents, ranging from overexertion to mishandling of hazardous materials.
There is also a horde of variables that can contribute to or affect a workplace incident.
An employee injury initiates a sequence of events that can last for weeks or even months. The first 24 hours after an injury are the most crucial. To effectively respond to work-related accidents, you must take strict actions within these 24 hours.
Steps To Take After A Workplace Accident
It is critical to follow these steps to get compensated for work-related injuries:
Examine The Injury
If you or another person just had a workplace accident, the first thing to do is ascertain a medical emergency. Quick evaluation of the issue will help you prevent any severe complications. You should determine the type and extent of the injury before anything else.
Every workplace management is legally obliged to have a first aid kit and an elected first aider with proper first aid training. Ask the first aid in-charge to assess the injury before taking action.
Get Medical Help
Medical attention is crucial for the victim’s safety. Most workplace accidents will only cause loss of efficiency, but some can be life-threatening if you don’t act fast. An employer is obliged to prioritize the immediate needs of their injured employees. Swift medical attention will help reduce the danger of complications and additional injuries.
Most common workplace accidents result in muscle strains and back injuries. These are not medical emergencies, but the victim will need medical attention nonetheless.
Secure And Manage The Scene
The employer or the supervisor needs to secure the scene as soon as possible.
Controlling the accident scene includes:
- Clearing employees from the area
- Determining and eliminating the sources of imminent danger
- Ensuring that there is minimal scene disturbance, i.e., modifying, interfering with, terminating, or removing anything related to the accident, aside from anything required to be disturbed.
Report The Accident
If you were working alone at the time of the accident, ensure that your colleagues and employer are aware of the incident. It will help you afterward while claiming compensation. It means your employer and the insurance companies can’t dispute the occurrence of the accident.
When there is a critical injury or fatality, notify the following parties straightaway:
- Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)
- Union (if applicable)
- Ministry of Labor
- Police
Take Photos And Video Evidence
It is particularly vital to gather as much evidence to support your compensation claim against any work-related injuries. You should take photos and videos of the accident location, such as wet floors or dangerous items.
It will also help you defend yourself from any fake accusations a disgraceful employer may make.
Inspect And Document
After dealing with medical emergencies, you should inspect the accident and document every detail that can help support your case. Try answering the following questions to gather information:
- What were the causes of the accident?
- If it was a trip and fall accident, was it due to some misplaced item?
- Was the floor slippery?
- Were all the rules and regulations followed?
- Did some special occasion cause disturbance?
- Could the accident have been prevented?
- Is the risk still there?
- Were there any witnesses?
If there are any witnesses, make sure to collect their contact information. The insurance company or the court can use this information to testify your claim. You should also ask your doctor to document the state of your injuries upon your arrival at the hospital.
Complete An Incident Report
Completing an incident report is one of the most critical steps to take after a work-related accident. You should file the incident report within 24 hours of the accident.
Beyond ensuring individual employee and total team safety, gathering witness testimony within a day of the accident can help improve the accuracy of your case. You should waste no time completing the incident report to get immediate compensation from your employer or insurers.
To avoid the legal hassle, an employer should always have every type of workplace accident report form available at the workplace.
This will minimize costs and productivity loss.
Get Legal Help Now
Whether you are an employer or a victim of a workplace accident, it is crucial to get legal help. When you suffer a workplace accident, you must make a compensation claim for the sustained injuries. 1Georgia Injury Lawyers and their team of proficient attorneys can help you claim your legal worker’s compensation benefits.
Focus on your recovery, and let us handle everything for you!
