What to Do Immediately After an Accident at Work

Quick Summary

• Your health comes first — get medical attention before worrying about anything else
• Report the accident and make sure it's recorded in the accident book as soon as practically possible
• Gather what evidence you reasonably can — photographs, witness names, the exact circumstances — while it's fresh and available
• You don't need to decide whether to claim straight away; the priority is preserving evidence and your health, not making an immediate legal decision

Step 1: Get medical attention

Whatever else is happening, seeing a doctor — whether that's a first aider on site, A&E, or your GP — comes first. This matters for your health, and it also creates an early medical record linking your injury to the date and circumstances of the accident, which is useful evidence later even if you're not yet thinking about a claim.

Step 2: Report the accident

Tell your employer or supervisor what happened as soon as you reasonably can, and ask for it to be recorded in the accident book. Employers are legally required to keep accident records. Reporting the accident:

• Creates a contemporaneous record of what happened
• Is a protected act — dismissing or treating you badly for reporting an accident is automatically unfair under the Employment Rights Act 1996, from your first day of employment
• May trigger your employer's own duty to report serious accidents to the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR

If your employer doesn't have a formal accident book, write down what happened yourself — the date, time, location, what occurred, and who was present — and keep a copy.

Step 3: Gather evidence while it's available

Evidence can disappear quickly — CCTV is often overwritten within days or weeks, and memories fade. Where you reasonably can:

• Take photographs of the hazard, the location, and any visible injuries, as soon as possible
• Note witness names and contact details — colleagues, visitors, or anyone who saw what happened or the conditions beforehand
• Ask for CCTV to be preserved if the accident happened in a covered area
• Keep any damaged items — footwear, clothing, or equipment involved in the accident
• Write down what happened while it's fresh, including anything said to you at the time by your employer or colleagues

Step 4: Keep records of anything the accident costs you

• Payslips, if you need time off and it affects your pay
• Receipts for any medical treatment, travel to appointments, or damaged property
• A simple diary of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, particularly for injuries that develop or change over time

Step 5: Don't feel pressured to decide about a claim straight away

You don't need to have decided whether you want to pursue compensation before doing any of the above. The priority immediately after an accident is your health and preserving evidence — deciding whether to claim is a separate decision you can make once you've had time to think, and you have three years from the date of the accident to do so.

Step 6: Get an assessment when you're ready

When you do want to understand your options, a free case assessment can review what happened and give you an honest view — there's no obligation, and it doesn't commit you to anything.

Frequently asked questions

What if I didn't do any of this at the time?

It's still worth speaking to a solicitor. Other evidence — medical records, later witness recollections, or documentary evidence from your employer — can often still support a claim even without a perfect contemporaneous record.

What if my employer refuses to record the accident?

Keep your own written record instead, and tell your solicitor. A refusal to record a genuine accident does not prevent a valid claim and can itself be relevant evidence.

How soon do I need to see a solicitor?

There's no strict deadline to instruct a solicitor beyond the three-year limitation period, but earlier is generally better — evidence is freshest and easiest to gather soon after the accident.

Not sure what to do next?

For a full breakdown of what evidence supports a strong claim, see our evidence guide. When you're ready, a free case assessment can talk you through your specific situation.

Free case assessment

Or call 01228 272395 to speak to Edward & Amaury Solicitors (SRA number: 800525). No upfront cost and nothing to pay if your claim does not succeed.