Fell down flight of stairs accident at work advice please!

bethg2009

I need some advice please, I took a tumble down a flight of 14 stairs at work yesterday, (a$$ over t1t) head first twice, everyone saw what had happened as it was at the end of the day. I went to A&E to get checked over and luckily haven't broken any thing but have major bruising/swelling all over and I ache from head to foot.
This morning our first aider filled out the accident book and said I didn't have to sign it although I could if I wanted. He then came to see me later this afternoon to say that the management had asked him to ask me if I was going to sign it and to let them know by close of business what my intentions were.

Alarm bells have rang in my ears all day long, do I sign the book? Why do they want to know if I am or not? Should I seek legal advice?

I think I'm still in shock tbh, I still feel shaky and a bit tearful but never had an accident before and when I looked at the stairs from the bottom up, feel lucky to be alive, let alone have any broken bones.

Any advice would be amazing xxx :A

Sambucus_Nigra

Why would you not sign it?

bristol_pilot

Why did you fall? Did you basically fall over for no reason or were there contributory factors such as poor lightling, a trip hazard, were you carrying something, was there a handrail (and did you hold it)?

If whatever is written in the accident book is a full and fair account of what happened you may as well sign it.

bethg2009

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Why would you not sign it?

I haven't told them that I'm not going to sign it, it's just the fact that he told me I could if I wanted to however didn't have to, got me confused. Why make me aware I don't have to??

fluffyboots

Hi there I fell down the stairs at work last year was bruised and bumped but no A & E required. I didnt bother reporting it to my boss till the day after ( one of my colleagues had seen the fall) . I was told off my boss the day after for not reporting it immediately.I think for legal reasons if theres an accident on the premises they have to know because of their liability.I just filled in a form and the accident book( I work for a big multinational) said the stairs werent slippy I just tri:)pped and fell.I think you should fill it in just in case.

bethg2009

bristol_pilot wrote: »

Why did you fall? Did you basically fall over for no reason or were there contributory factors such as poor lightling, a trip hazard, were you carrying something, was there a handrail (and did you hold it)?

If whatever is written in the accident book is a full and fair account of what happened you may as well sign it.

I think I have just missed the first top step, there is a handrail which has been broken and repaired a few times the wall is cracked and replastered and new screws sticking out slightly, I was holding the rail on the right and was carrying my bag on my left shoulder.

bethg2009

I really am fazed by this

ldavies_3

Are you wanting to know if you should sue or not??

bristol_pilot

You are probably still in shock. I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't sign the accident book. The management are actually right that you should have reported it the same day - they will want to do a prompt investigation and if they don't know the accident happened until the next day it is unhelpful.

I would expect your supervisor or line manager to interview you to determine exactly what happened, what the immediate cause was and were there any contributory factors. They will want to take steps (no pun intended) to prevent others falling down the stairs. If the handrail gave way causing you to fall, then that would be a matter of serious concern and they would want to rectify it straight away. If you simply fell and missed your footing, then that needs to be established. They may be concerned that you may make a claim against the company - entirely up to you, but as you have not sustained a significant injury or lost money through being off work I wouldn't bother as any compensation would be minimal.

Savvy_Spender_South

It is essential to complete an accident report and a near miss report when its close but accident avoided. The employer will want to minimise staff injuries in the workplace and limit days off through sick.

Signatures. If the account is agreed on all sides, a signature confirms this. If you do not agree with the accident reporter, they will want to know because they want to know what you disagree with, more so they want it accurately reporting to your sanctification.

The issue of blame/claim is a much later one that this account could be called upon to support if signed.

bethg2009

I have no queries or qualms, don't want to claim or anything, it's just the fact of being given an option that makes me wonder.