02 Jun What Your Employer Must Legally Do After a Workplace Accident
A workplace accident can knock the wind out of you in more ways than one. There’s the physical pain, of course, but there’s also that strange moment afterwards where everything feels a bit unreal. You’re trying to make sense of what just happened, and at the same time you’re wondering what you’re supposed to do next — and what your employer should be doing too.
A lot of people don’t realise this, but the law places very clear responsibilities on employers the moment an accident happens. These aren’t “nice to have” steps or optional bits of admin. They’re legal duties designed to protect you, your colleagues, and anyone else who might be affected.
If you’ve recently been injured at work, or you’re supporting someone who has, here’s what your employer should be doing — calmly, properly, and without cutting corners.
They should make sure you get medical attention straight away
It doesn’t matter whether the injury looks minor or feels like something you can “walk off.” Your employer has a duty to make sure you’re safe and that you get the right medical help. That might mean calling a first‑aider, arranging transport to a clinic, or phoning an ambulance if things are more serious.
A lot of people try to downplay their injuries in the moment. Shock does that. Adrenaline does that. But getting checked early is important — not just for your health, but because it creates a clear medical record of what happened. If you’re unsure why that matters, it’s worth reading why early legal advice is key for a successful compensation claim, which explains it in more detail.
They must record the accident properly
Every employer is legally required to keep an accident book. It’s not optional. It’s not something they can “get around to later.” It’s a legal requirement, and the entry should be made as soon as possible.
The record should include:
- What happened
- Where it happened
- Who was involved
- Any injuries
- Any witnesses
If your employer refuses to record it, or tries to brush it off, that’s not okay. And if the accident wasn’t written down at the time, don’t panic — there are still ways to document what happened. You can find some helpful guidance in tips for documenting an accident at work.
They must report serious injuries to the HSE
Some accidents fall under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations). If your injury is serious — fractures, loss of consciousness, hospital treatment, or anything that keeps you off work for more than seven days — your employer must report it to the Health and Safety Executive.
If they don’t, that’s their failure, not yours. It doesn’t stop you making a claim, but it does raise questions about how they manage safety.
They should investigate what happened — properly
A good employer will want to understand what went wrong so it doesn’t happen again. That means:
- Speaking to witnesses
- Checking CCTV
- Looking at equipment
- Reviewing training records
- Examining the area where the accident happened
A poor employer might rush the investigation or try to steer the story in a direction that suits them. If you feel that happening, keep your own notes. Even small details can matter later.
If the accident involved a slip, trip or fall, you might find how to correctly handle a slip, trip or fall at work useful too.
They must review their risk assessments
Every workplace should have risk assessments in place. And after an accident, those assessments should be reviewed and updated. If the accident happened because the risk assessment was outdated, incomplete, or ignored, that’s a serious issue.
A surprising number of workplace injuries happen because the risk assessment simply wasn’t good enough — something we’ll cover in the next blog.
They must not blame you without evidence
Some employers panic when an accident happens. Instead of following the law, they jump straight to blaming the employee. It’s unfair, and often completely wrong.
Even if you think you might have played a part, that doesn’t automatically make you responsible. Employers must prove negligence — not assume it. And even if you were partly involved, you may still be entitled to compensation. There’s more on this in who is to blame for injuries at work.
They must not pressure you to stay quiet
No employer has the right to:
- Tell you not to report the accident
- Ask you to “keep it between us”
- Discourage you from seeking medical help
- Tell you not to speak to a solicitor
- Ask you to sign anything you don’t understand
If any of that happens, write it down. It’s evidence — and it says a lot about how they handle safety.
They must fix the problem that caused the accident
Once an accident has happened, your employer must take steps to prevent it happening again. That might mean repairing equipment, replacing flooring, improving training, or changing procedures.
If faulty equipment was involved, responsibility can get complicated — something we’ll explore in a later blog.
They must allow you to seek legal advice
You have the right to understand your position. You have the right to ask questions. And you have the right to make a claim if the accident wasn’t your fault.
A good employer will support you.
A bad one might try to make you feel guilty.
Either way, the law is on your side.
Final thoughts
A workplace accident is stressful enough without having to worry about whether your employer is doing what they’re supposed to. But the law is clear: they have responsibilities, and those responsibilities exist to protect you.
If they fail to follow them, it doesn’t weaken your claim — it often strengthens it.
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