As employees, we sometimes tend to forget about potential hazards that could happen to us at work and get so comfortable in our daily routines. This is especially true for construction workers, who get accustomed to their work life and give little attention to the risks they face daily. No matter how business owners might take necessary precautions to keep their employees safe, accidents can still take place. When they do, everyone involved will need to know what should be done after the incident.
Whether you are in a high-risk job or not, becoming complacent to the potential dangers around you can be dangerous. That is why being aware of what to do when an accident happens is crucial. Read on to know the steps you need to take when involved in a workplace accident to ensure your safety.
Check Yourself and Others Around You
The first thing you need to know as soon as the incident occurs is to check yourself. You might instinctively think it’s best to aid others, but you need to make sure you are not injured first to be able to help others while keeping yourself safe. Once you ensure that you are okay, you can help those around you, if there’s anyone else involved in the accident, and check if there is anyone around who can help. Remember to stay calm and do not impulsively take any actions before you think them through first.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if there are no physical signs that show you might not be okay, you will need to seek medical attention to check for any internal bleeding or damages. The most common workplace injuries usually include back injuries or muscle strains; while these injuries are not fatal, they still require medical attention. This step will also help you in case you seek legal assistance. When you want to seek legal compensation, a record of your injuries can ensure that.
Contact Your Superior or Supervisor
Once that you have ensured your safety and the safety of those around you, make sure you contact your employer to report your accident. You can call them first, then within 30 days, you might need to write a full incident report that includes all the details and explains what happened. This will help you and your employer as you will both benefit by taking the right steps of reporting and ensuring the safety of the workplace.
Check for Witnesses
If your case ends up in court, the help of witnesses that were there during the accident will go a long way in this process. When you are filing your claims to get your compensation, the judge will highly rely on pieces of evidence to reach a fair decision. This can be done by asking witnesses to testify, which is why you will need to make sure if there are any witnesses around you who can report the incident as well. Make sure you gather their details and contact numbers in case they are needed at a later date.
Get Legal Assistance
If you work in a high-risk job, then it is highly likely that your accident might result in severe injuries. In that case, you will need to seek legal compensation. Because this can seem very stressful, it is crucial to contact and consult with an injury attorney who can walk you through the steps you need to take. Prime examples are truck drivers who are highly at risk as they perform their daily tasks. The professionals at https://www.thechampionfirm.com/ mention that truck cases tend to be complicated, which is why the help of an experienced law firm would greatly benefit you. Your attorney will advise you and give you an estimate of the amount of time it’ll take to get your compensation.
Create a Final Report Follow Up
Your final report will include all the steps taken, the resulting damages, and recommendations. It would be best if your report included photos of injuries that were taken right after the incident took place. Also, attach any important notes and supporting documents that will come in handy with your legal case. Afterward, make sure you properly follow up with your attorney and that everyone is using the timeline they have been given for the best course of action. Check and see if your claims have eventually resulted in your upgrading your workplace’s insurance of safety and training.
There are several kinds of jobs that are constantly subjected to potential hazards. That is why being prepared with the necessary actions to take when such unfortunate incidents take place is essential. Luckily, the law is always there to secure your rights and protect you. All you need to know is to approach things the right way and follow these steps.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind