Accident while at work

WaggingTongue

Good morning everyone.

Just looking for a little advice.

Last week I had an accident whilst driving at work, I was in a company delivery vehicle and someone crashed into the rear of me when I was stationary at traffic lights, they hit me with force (above 20-25mph) and shunted me into the vehicle in front, I have full telematics on my vehicle and it set off the seatbelt pre-tensioner and also called the emergency services via the manufacturer sos.

I've sustained neck and upper back injuries due to this, I went to A&E on the day and got checked over, I didn't have any x-rays but the doctor said she was confident I had no spinal injury, however they said I was showing signs of whiplash (they call it something different now) and back pain due to muscle damage.

They have given me prescribed pain killers and told me to rest up for a week, at the moment I'm self certificating from work.

I'm still in quite a bit of pain and having trouble sleeping, I'm still taking the pain killers, they are helping a little but I'm still getting pain, I've not driven since it happened and I'm a little anxious about getting in a car again.

My boss and company have been good about it and told me to take off as much time as I need.

I feel bad about having the time off and I originally said I would have a few days off plus the weekend and return back tomorrow (Monday)

The company insurance has suggested I open a personal injury claim which I've never done before due to the extent of the injury, I've done this and they have started the ball rolling, I'm also booked in for physio sessions in a couple of weeks.

Fast forward to today :

My boss has just asked messaged me and said to take as much time as I need off and to not jeopardise my recover, I'm still in a lot of pain and I've never had a day off work for years so not sure what to do with sick notes/doctors etc.

I'm not sure how to respond to my boss as I don't want to feel bad by telling him I'm still in pain but telling him I might be ok to return on Monday from last week when it originally happened.

At the moment I have no vehicle to go back to do my job as it's now been taken away for repair assessment as it might be wrote off, I can go back doing light duties in the small shop/warehouse where I'm just standing and helping customers.

I'm unsure what to do and how to go about getting notes and how to go about things as I've never been off sick for about 25 years

Keep_pedalling

Take the time off, your boss sounds like a decent person and I am sure they do not want you to come back too soon only to aggravate your injuries and end up taking even more time off.

itsthelittlethings

If you’re off for over 7 days I would contact your GP and ask them for a “fit note” (sick note). They may be able to give you one without seeing you. Although work are saying take as long as you need I’d want a sick note to cover me anyway. It would probably be good to contact the GP anyway if this is going to be a longer term thing.

Brie

Stating the obvious….. Document everything. If you need to take a taxi instead of driving, keep receipts. Keep track of every day you are off work or need to leave for any medical appointments.

sheramber

You should contact your boss and ask what position is re !!!!!! pay?

what do they pay?

what do they need such as fit notes from your GP.

You can discuss the possibility of returning to light duties if you are able and they are available.

Is your claim against the company or is it against the other driver’s insurance?

Whichever, keep a record of A&E visit etc in case it is asked for at a later date.

TELLIT01

There is no reason to be anxious about driving in the future. Somebody hit you in a situation where you had no control. It sounds like this is the first accident you have been involved in whilst driving, so how long have you been driving? It hasn't happened before has it?

I've been driving nearly 50 years and be hit from behind 5 times in that period, each time I've been in a different car.

YBR

Particularly as there is no van to drive as yet, give yourself time to recover - that probably means gentle movement rather than being still - but at home you have choice whereas light duties are still duties. Can you replicate at home what you would be doing at work and see how it affects you? Also consider your journey to/from work as you need the strength for this as well as the working day.

At the same time probe what your boss really expects, and be sure about what sick pay there is and what documents are required. Most likely a fit note after 7 days from your GP.

MyRealNameToo

If you go back too early you will likely aggravate the injury and therefore end off being off for longer in total than simply waiting until you are sufficiently recovered in the first place.