A workplace accident that causes physical and mental harm can severely impact the well-being and stability of an employee. Even if the scenario is the last to cross one’s mind when preparing for work, the truth is that these occurrences happen more often than you may anticipate. About 340 million work-related accidents take place annually, and 160 million employees suffer from illnesses associated with their workplace. This doesn’t only impact the wellness and workability of the employee, but can also damage the business’s reputation for non-compliance with Health and Safety regulations or not creating a safe and secure working environment.
If you or a loved one get involved in a workplace accident, you need to do everything you can to get back on track and restore the balance, including seeking workers’ compensation. There are several measures to take to get the most out of the claim, as you will discover.
What exactly is considered a work-related accident?
First, it’s essential to understand what counts as a work-related injury and accident to remove the mystery surrounding them and determine whether you might be eligible to claim compensation. An injury is “work-related” if your employer is at fault for not creating the right conditions that eliminate the risk of accidents. Any illness or injury experienced while performing job tasks and duties counts as workplace accidents, including seemingly insignificant ones. As a general rule, these must happen because of an event or incident while you’re in the workplace.
The employer may be liable for incompliance with Health and Safety regulations, not providing the proper training, not conducting periodic maintenance checks on machinery, disregarding workplace threats like exposure to toxic substances, and the list can go on. The employee may also be found guilty if one of their workers harms someone else by mistake or negligence.
Generally, Health and Safety describes accidents as “work-related” if the under-mentioned factors contributed to the injury:
- Work-related equipment, plants, gear, substances, etc.
- The place’s conditions or premises
- How the work was conducted.
Moving on, let’s see what’s in your power to secure higher compensation.
Gather as much evidence as possible
As a general rule, the better the evidence provided when the case is taken to court, the higher the chances of winning and receiving the sum you’re entitled to. Having proof of the circumstances and incidents that led to your injury and demonstrating you’re eligible to be compensated for the harm suffered will increase your chances of a successful case.
These represent valuable pieces of information and can help secure a higher amount. Needless to say, it’s difficult to predict or calculate how much compensation you may be entitled to since more factors are considered, such as the employers’ claims history and industry of activity. However, there are online tools and websites that you can access for an estimative idea. To learn more about how compensation for accidents like those occurring at work is determined, visit www.howmuchcompensation.co.uk.
Here are some significant types of evidence taken into account in claims for work-related accidents:
- Photographs, videos, or CCTV footage: It would be best to take photos or videos of the setting, tools, equipment, dangerous conditions, and any other element that facilitated your accident. If possible, seek CCTV footage to better evidence the conditions leading to the unfortunate incident.
- Accident reports: It’s important to notify your employee about the event. If you do so, any report with details such as the date and time resulting from your endeavour can help strengthen your case.
- Correspondence: These include emails, texts, letters, messages, as well as any communication you have with relevant participants like your employer.
- Medical records: These will show the extent of your injury and how it impacted you physically, mentally, and financially.
Watch out for private investigators
The insurance company never has your best interest at heart and will work to give you a minimum amount of money, if any at all. In some circumstances, they may work with private investigators to test your credibility. Say, for instance, that you’re telling your doctor that the accident impedes you from driving, but then hop in your car and drive around the town. To test your credibility, the hired investigators may follow you to expose you if you’ve lied to your doctor and the medical records lie.
Besides acknowledging the possibility of having a private investigator on your track, you should also beware of surveillance footage if they can demonstrate you’ve lied about anything.
These occurrences, however, are not that commonplace, but they’re valuable information worth keeping in mind.
Seek medical assistance right away
Visiting a doctor may not be the first thing that crosses your mind after experiencing a work-related injury, especially if it’s minor. You may think of the expenses incurred, the treatment costs, how your family will react, and other seemingly more important details. But neglecting medical appointments to the point where the evidence of the injury is jeopardized would be a huge mistake.
Make sure to get medical assistance and treatment as soon as possible. Not only will you improve your recovery time, but you will also get important medical proof to help build up your case. Delaying getting the treatment can make insurers think you’re not taking the accident seriously or that you’re exaggerating your injuries.
Here are other tips that you should consider if you’re ever getting through a work-related accident:
- Understand the benefits you may be entitled to
- Understand what the worker compensation insurance pays
- Prepare for medical investigations
- Report your injury right away
- Visit more doctors
- Consult a lawyer.
Conclusion
Regardless of how much precaution is used in the workplace and the employees’ and employers’ efforts to maintain a safe and secure place, accidents at work remain unpredictable and can occur under numerous circumstances. Don’t remain silent if you’re ever implicated in a mishap that causes you injuries, pain, and suffering. Seek justice for the harm suffered due to someone else’s negligence if that’s the case, and follow the recommendations that suit you to gain a higher amount from your claim.