If you’ve suffered an accident at work, knowing what to do immediately can protect:
• Your health
• Your job
• Your legal rights
• Your right to compensation
Many people feel unsure, worried about their employer’s reaction, or assume their injury is “just one of those things.” However, UK law places clear responsibilities on employers to protect their staff.
This guide explains the exact steps you should take.
Your health must always come first.
Even if your injury appears minor, certain conditions — including whiplash, soft tissue injuries, concussions and back injuries — can worsen over time.
You should:
• Call 999 in an emergency
• Attend A&E if necessary
• Visit your GP
• Follow all medical advice
Medical records are vital evidence. If you later bring an accident at work claim, your medical notes will help prove:
• The nature of your injuries
• When symptoms began
• The seriousness of the injury
• Any long-term impact
Failing to seek medical attention early can weaken both your recovery and your claim.
Under UK law, workplace accidents must be properly recorded.
You should report the incident:
• Immediately, or
• As soon as reasonably possible
Ask for the accident to be entered into the Accident Book. This is a legal requirement for most workplaces.
Ensure the record includes:
• Date and time
• Location
• How the accident occurred
• Details of the injury
• Names of witnesses
Take a photograph of the accident book entry for your records.
If your employer refuses to record the accident, send a follow-up email confirming what happened. This creates a written trail.
Evidence gathered early can make the difference between a straightforward claim and a disputed one.
If you are able, you should:
• Take photographs of the accident scene
• Photograph any defective equipment
• Photograph spillages, broken flooring, or hazards
• Keep damaged clothing or PPE
• Obtain names and contact details of witnesses
If CCTV may have captured the incident, request that footage be preserved. Many systems automatically overwrite footage within days.
If your injury leads to financial loss, you may recover these costs as part of your claim.
Keep records of:
• Loss of earnings
• Reduced overtime
• Prescription charges
• Travel expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Care provided by family members
These are known as special damages and can significantly increase the value of your claim.
Many injured workers delay speaking to a solicitor because they:
• Feel loyal to their employer
• Fear losing their job
• Assume the accident was their fault
• Think claims are complicated
However, most accident at work claims are handled through the employer’s insurance and do not create direct conflict.
Early legal advice ensures:
• Deadlines are protected
• Evidence is preserved
• Your rights are clearly explained
• Insurers are dealt with properly
When you are injured at work, you need more than general advice — you need clear, strategic legal guidance from solicitors who understand employer liability, workplace regulations and insurer tactics.
At NJS Law, we act exclusively in the interests of injured individuals. We understand the physical, financial and emotional pressure that follows a workplace accident. Our role is to remove that pressure and handle the legal process with clarity and confidence.
When you instruct NJS Law, you can expect:
• Straightforward, honest advice from the outset
• A clear explanation of your legal position
• Thorough investigation of employer breaches
• Direct handling of insurer negotiations
• Maximised compensation reflecting the true impact of your injury
• No Win No Fee representation in appropriate cases
We are experienced in handling claims involving:
• Manual handling injuries
• Slips, trips and falls
• Construction site accidents
• Machinery and equipment failures
• Industrial and factory injuries
• Workplace head and back injuries
Every case is handled with attention to detail and a focus on achieving the best possible outcome for you.
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