Steps to Take If You Witness a Coworker’s Injury
Many folks consider their coworkers “family,” and rightfully so. You spend a good amount of time with your coworkers each day. You share stories about your lives outside of work and often provide support that goes beyond completing projects.
When your coworker is injured, you can provide critical care and comfort, especially if you witnessed the accident that caused the injury.
In the days following a workplace injury, there are procedures to follow that ensure the worker can file a workers’ compensation claim. There will also be many resources available to help that worker navigate the claims process and recovery.
First, it is important to know what to do immediately after witnessing the accident. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Emergency Medical Care
The most important thing to take care of is the injured worker. An immediate assessment of the injury could trigger a call to 911. You might also have to drive them to the nearest ER if that is more feasible. In either scenario, understanding basic first aid will help you tend to your injured coworker.
If the injury does not require an ambulance, check with your company to determine whether the worker needs to see a pre-approved doctor or can follow up with their own doctor.
Even if they’re able to return to work, it is still important to see a doctor in case symptoms develop later.
Step 2: Report the Incident to Your Supervisor Immediately
The injured worker must inform their supervisor immediately of the accident. As a witness, you can be a part of that report. You’ll want to state what you saw, when and where it occurred, and what happened in the immediate aftermath.
Step 3: Document the Scene of the Workplace Accident
To support a potential workers’ compensation claim, it is important to document the workplace accident scene. While your coworker is off seeking medical attention, you can take photos and videos of the accident scene before there is any type of cleanup.
Step 4: Prepare for the Official Witness Statement Process
As a witness to a workplace accident, you will play a critical role in supporting your coworker as they navigate through their workers’ compensation claim process.
This is how you can prepare your statement:
- Act Immediately: You’ll want to write down your recollections as soon as possible while memories are fresh. Ideally, you should write it down the same day it happened.
- Document the Basics: Be sure to record the exact date, time, and specific location where the incident occurred. You want to describe exactly what happened, step by step. That begins with what the injured person was doing before, during, and immediately after the injury.
- Stick to the Facts: Your statement should include objective information with verifiable details such as the weather (if the incident happened outside), lighting, physical conditions, and the equipment used. You don’t have to guess who is at fault.
- Identify Others: Your statement needs to include the names and contact information of anyone else present or who witnessed the accident.
Maintain Confidentiality and Professionalism Following the Event
Your support as a witness to a workplace accident is not limited to the statement you provide. You also have to be aware of what happens in the days and weeks following the accident. That begins with office gossip. You should avoid discussing the incident and the injured worker’s medical condition with any of your coworkers.
Obviously, everyone will be asking, but it is better to hold off on sharing until the workers’ compensation claim is resolved.
You should also avoid posting what happened on any of your social media. Anything you post about what happened or speculations about the cause could be used against your injured coworker.
If you do give a statement, it should only be to authorized personnel. As with your written statement, any testimony you give in person needs to stick to the facts and only answer what you’re asked. You don’t have to volunteer any extra information.
You’ll also find a lot of supportive information with the Work Injury Advisor.
Each state has its own rules and regulations pertaining to workers’ compensation claims, and it’s important to have the right information. If you witness a workplace injury, you’ll want to help your coworker in the same way you’d like them to help you.