Nobody expects to be injured while working, but accidents do happen – even inside organisations following strict health and safety procedures.
UK law requires employers to protect their employees from harm by providing a safe working environment where steps are taken to minimise risks.
When accidents occur, the law provides support for those who have been injured.
In this article, we’ll explain your rights if you suffer a workplace injury and how to ensure you get the help you’re entitled to.
What are your rights after a workplace accident?
Everyone has a right to a safe workplace.
If you’re injured after an accident while working, then it’s important to know what your rights are and the steps to take next.
According to UK law, if you’re injured at work, then you have the right:
- To receive medical attention
- To record the accident at work
- To take time off to recover
- To sick pay
- To claim for compensation
- To fair treatment after reporting an accident
- To request reasonable adjustments to help you return to work
Knowing your rights and taking proactive action after suffering an injury at work can help you access the support and compensation you need to get your life back on track.
Your right to medical attention
After an accident at work, you have the right to receive the appropriate medical attention immediately afterwards.
Depending on the severity of your injury, this could involve first aid at work, emergency medical treatment at your doctor’s office or the hospital, and time off work to attend any medical appointments.
Your right to record the accident at work
If you have an accident at work, you must record as much information as possible about the incident to ensure you have evidence if you need to claim sick pay or personal injury compensation.
Your employer is required by law to keep a record of all workplace accidents and injuries.
Other evidence that can be useful to gather includes photographs of your injury, names and contact details of witnesses, and written notes on what happened.
Your right to time off work and sick pay
If you sustain an injury at work that means you need time off to recover, or that prevents you from carrying out your role, you may be entitled to time off in addition to sick pay.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, then you may be able to claim statutory sick pay for up to 28 weeks. You should also check your employment contract to see whether your employer offers contractual sick pay.
If so, this can be used to supplement your statutory sick pay.
Your right to fair treatment after reporting an accident
It’s against the law for your employer to dismiss you from your role, or treat you unfairly, because you’ve raised a safety concern or made a compensation claim.
After you’ve recovered from an accident, you have the right to return to your role, provided you’re well enough to do so.
Your right to claim compensation
Sustaining an injury at work and having to take time off to recover can cause significant financial strain.
You could face costs such as medical treatment, equipment required to aid your recovery, transportation to and from hospital appointments, and loss of income.
If you believe that your employer’s negligence caused your accident at work, then you have the right to claim personal injury compensation to recoup some of these expenses.
Your right to request reasonable adjustments to help you return to work
If your accident caused you long-term physical or mental limitations, then you have the right to request that your employer make reasonable adjustments in the workplace to accommodate your new needs and help you to carry out your role both safely and comfortably.
Examples of reasonable adjustments include modified duties, flexible working hours, specialist equipment, or changes to your workstation.
Making a personal injury claim with Mark Reynolds Solicitors
All employers have a legal duty of care to look after their employees’ health and safety by assessing and managing risk to maintain a safe working environment.
At Mark Reynolds Solicitors, we’ve helped countless people to successfully claim compensation after having an accident at work.
If you have suffered injury or illness caused by your employer’s negligence, you may be able to make a claim.
A successful compensation claim can help you recover some of the money you have lost as a result of the accident, helping you to get your life back on track and gain some closure on an upsetting incident.
We understand that making a claim can feel daunting but it’s important to remember that you’re claiming against your employer’s insurance policy, not their business finances.
It’s also against the law for your employer to treat you unfairly for exercising your right to make a claim.
Our team of experienced and compassionate personal injury solicitors handles every case with discretion and sensitivity.
We will guide you through the process step by step, working hard to secure the best possible outcome.
To learn more about the process, or to arrange a free initial consultation, call our team today by dialling 0800 002 9577.