How To Handle A Workplace Accident As A Business Owner

As a business owner, you have the skills, experience, and knowledge to handle a variety of situations each and every day. However, if a workplace accident takes place at your business, you may wonder exactly what to do next. Should one of your employees get injured on the job, failing to take the proper steps immediately could lead to dire consequences for your business not only financially, but also from a reputation standpoint. Rather than let this happen, here is how you as a business owner should handle a workplace accident.

Get Medical Attention

Even if you believe the person’s injuries are not life-threatening, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 so that paramedics can arrive on the scene, assess the seriousness of the injuries, and administer treatment. If you fail to do this, you are increasing the possibility of being held liable for the person’s injuries, which could lead to a lawsuit that may ruin your business.

Report the Accident

Once an accident happens at your workplace, never hesitate in reporting the accident to OSHA or other authorities. In most situations, a workplace accident will need to be reported to OSHA within 24 hours of its occurrence. In addition to contacting authorities, do all you can to document the accident, such as taking photos, speaking to witnesses, and filing an official accident report as to what you believe transpired.

Communicate with Your Employee

While your employee is recuperating, keep the lines of communication open. For example, if your business partners with Industrial Health Medical Group for health testing, you can work with your employee to ensure they obtain all necessary health testing needed prior to returning to work. By working closely with your employee from the moment they are injured, you may be able to avoid a personal injury lawsuit.

Hire an Attorney

Even if you and your employee are on excellent terms with one another, don’t assume this means they won’t sue you. Unfortunately, the opposite is much more likely to happen. Rather than be caught off-guard, always hire an attorney to handle any litigation against you and your business. In doing so, your attorney may be able to prove the accident was not your fault, or at the least negotiate an out-of-court settlement that will have a minimal impact on your company’s finances and reputation.

How you handle a workplace accident from the moment it occurs will often determine how much it will impact your business. If you hire legal representation immediately and do your best to work closely with your employee, chances are you and your business can emerge relatively unscathed.