This information is generic and not specific to any particular case. It contains information on the steps you (or someone around you) should take if there is an incident in which you, or someone you know, suffers personal injury.
Ensuring the safety of everyone involved in an incident is the top priority. If someone is trapped, approach the situation only if it’s safe, and only assist where your own safety is not compromised. Call emergency services if needed, as paramedic operators can guide you through helping an injured person.
Incident Reporting
- The incident or accident should be reported according to any issued guidelines if relevant. Some incidents may not require emergency services, but you’ll need to report a road traffic accident to your insurance company. In a road traffic collision, ensure you obtain the registration mark of all vehicles involved together with the make, model and colour. Obtain drivers’ full names and addresses, including the name of the insurer and a policy number. Note down the number and position of any passengers in the vehicles involved.
- If the incident occurred in a workplace, ensure the relevant health and safety officer or designated worker is informed and/or the incident is reported according to company policy. If it is an ongoing health and safety issue, ensure that a record is kept of each time a incident occurs or report is made, with a note of what was reported along with the date and time. This is important where an incident is considered over a period of time.
Evidence
- Take photos as evidence. If it is a road traffic collision, photos of the vehicles and the damage sustained should be taken. Try to include road positioning – take photos showing the overall positions of the vehicles on the road when the accident took place. If its a workplace injury, or an injury in a public space, it may not always be possible to obtain photographic evidence through photos for a number of reasons. However, photos should also be taken where possible showing the cause of the injury or the final resting position of the injured person.
- In the case of inadequate personal protective equipment, ensure that a record is kept of the equipment provided and/or photographs of the equipment are taken, together with any saftey datasheets or other documents that may be supplied with the equipment.
- Obtain details of any witnesses. If the incident was witnessed by a third party, try to obtain their details, usually their full name and telephone number would suffice as we can then contact them at a later date if required.
Injury Concerns and Rehabilitation
- Visit your GP if you are overly concerned by any particular injury. Seek legal advice on what can be done to help with your rehabilition. This can include physiotherapy sessions as well as other treatments paid for by the party at fault.