Immediate steps after an accident
Photograph the scene before anything is moved or repaired: the equipment, the floor, any spillage, any defect, any warning signs (or their absence). Photograph the visible injury — bruising, swelling, lacerations. Note the date, time and location, and the name of every person present. Collect contact details for witnesses on paper, not just verbal assurances.
Accident book and RIDDOR
Insist on an entry in the workplace accident book under the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979 schedule 4. Take a photograph of the entry. Ask the employer to confirm whether the injury is RIDDOR-reportable under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 — fractures, amputations, more than 7-day absences, and any specified dangerous occurrence all qualify.
Medical evidence
See your GP or attend A&E the same day, even if symptoms feel mild. GP and hospital records become the primary medical timeline. Tell every clinician that the injury happened at work — that contemporaneous statement is powerful evidence of mechanism. Keep prescriptions, physiotherapy referrals, and discharge letters.
CCTV — act within days
Most workplace CCTV systems overwrite every 14 to 31 days under the UK GDPR data minimisation principle. Send a written preservation request to the employer (or have your solicitor do so) immediately. Failure to preserve evidence after a reasonable request can found an adverse inference at trial.
Documents to obtain through your solicitor
Risk assessment for the task; safe system of work; training records; PPE issue logs; equipment maintenance and inspection records (PUWER/LOLER); the employer's accident investigation report; HSE correspondence; and any improvement or prohibition notices.
Social media
Insurers routinely review public social media profiles. A photograph of you running a half-marathon two months after a knee injury claim is a gift to the defence. Tell your solicitor about your social media early — they can advise on what is and is not safe to post during the life of the claim.
How quickly should I gather evidence?
Same day where possible, within 48 hours at the latest. CCTV, witness recollections and physical scene evidence all degrade fast.
Can I claim if there were no witnesses?
Yes. Many claims succeed on documentary evidence alone — a missing risk assessment, an absent training record, or CCTV footage of the incident.
Will my employer give me copies of safety documents?
Often not voluntarily. Your solicitor will request them under the Pre-Action Protocol and, if necessary, by court order at the disclosure stage.
For the full first-steps checklist, see injured at work: what to do in the hours and days after.
Browse every plain-English guide in the work accident guides hub, or read the main guide to how a claim works.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every claim turns on its own facts. For advice about your specific situation, speak to a regulated solicitor. You can find one through the Find a Solicitor service (Law Society) or through APIL.