The Ten Commandments for the One Who Is Being Investigated in Work Accidents

By: Asher Asban – Engineering Consultant, Accident Investigator, and Safety Expert

1. Run to a lawyer and a safety expert before running to the investigation roomMake sure that from the very first second of the incident, you are accompanied by an experienced safety expert or accident investigator who will manage the event from a professional perspective and guide the lawyer in handling the legal aspects.

2. Clarify whether you are being questioned as a witness or as a suspect.

3. Do not panic.

4. Demand a lawyer during the investigation.

5. Prepare in advance for the investigationDuring a criminal investigation related to a construction site accident, you will be confronted with various documents. Never arrive for questioning without the necessary forms—these should be provided according to the instructions of the accident investigator or safety expert.

6. “Silence is golden” – not always!The issue of remaining silent during an investigation is complex and depends on the specific circumstances of each case.

7. Do not sign any statements “automatically.”

8. If you do not remember, do not make commitments.

9. In police or Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs investigations, nothing is “off the record.”When an accident occurs on a construction site and a Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs inspector and/or police arrive, know that the investigation begins from that moment.

10. Follow-up and handlingIt is recommended to hire a safety expert to prepare a “Safety Expert and Accident Investigator Report.” This report will assist the lawyer in handling the case and can encourage the prosecution to make decisions favorable to the contractor.