Every workplace comes with risks, some more than others, and while accidents will always occur, it is the role of the business leader and team managers to ensure that staff are as protected as possible.
Most business leaders are committed to safety in the workplace, but some overlook their duties, which can lead to serious consequences, both for them and their workers.
Negligence in the workplace can take many forms, and while it might take time for you to understand and notice them, you might find that they lead to a potentially devastating accident.
If you experience negligence in the workplace, then you could find that you’re entitled to support or compensation.
Here are some tips to help you deal with the situation correctly and get the support you deserve after an incident.
Report The Incident And Get Medical Help
The first step is to report the incident and seek medical help for any injuries you’ve sustained. Your company should have an accident reporting procedure, and if not, then follow the Government’s guidelines on reporting accidents in the workplace. Depending on the severity of the accident, this might happen before or after you’ve sought medical aid.
For minor injuries, you can ask the team’s first aider to help you while you fill out an incident report. Serious injuries may require a visit to the hospital or your GP. Make sure that you get written and photographic evidence of the injuries you sustained, as you can use these in your reporting of the incident and any future compensation claims you might need to make.
Know What To Do If You Can’t Work
If the incident was minor, then you might be able to return to work afterwards. However, for serious injuries, you might need to seek support. Your doctor will provide you with a sick note to allow you to take time off work if required, which will entitle you to statutory sick pay. Additionally, it would help if you spoke to your employer about what sickness support they’re willing to offer.
When you do return to work, you might need some accommodations, particularly if the injury is severe, so you can also negotiate these to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable in your work going forward. You’ll then be able to recuperate at home without worrying about supporting yourself and your loved ones financially.
Find The Right Legal Support
In some cases, negligence might result in you being injured and unable to work. If this is the case, then you need to make sure that you get the legal support you need. Find a legal team that specialises in the type of injury or negligence that you have experienced.
For example, if you’re claiming for a head injury, then the team at Quittance Legal Services has extensive expertise in this area. Their staff understand how challenging the claims process can be, so they work with clients to ensure they get the support they need.
So, if you’re making a head injuries claim, you can work with their team to ensure that you get the best possible legal support and are able to get the outcome that you deserve.
Ask For Relevant Changes To Your Working Environment
Negligence in the workplace is a serious issue and one that needs to be addressed proactively by both you and your employer. During the recovery process, you should work with your team leader and other relevant members of the management team to explore ways you can improve working conditions to ensure that the incident doesn’t happen again.
These changes might include providing more training to employees, offering adequate PPE, such as gloves, which you can get from unigloves.co.uk, and more. Working to make necessary changes to your workplace will improve safety and working conditions for you and your fellow team members, so it’s an incredibly important task.
Focus On Your Health
After an incident at work, you might find that your mental and physical health both suffer. While it’s easy to be despondent, particularly if your employer is not supportive, you need to focus on your health and wellbeing to ensure that you overcome the issue and get better in time. Do not be afraid to ask for the support you need and consider exploring options for a new role in an organisation that is more dedicated to employee safety.
By focusing on your health and following the other tips listed in this article, you can ensure that you move on from the incident and get the support and compensation you deserve. It might take time, so be prepared for a long recovery, and work with the experts to ensure that you get compensated correctly and help your company to make the changes they need to, so that no one needs to go through the same challenges you faced.