Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-man-holding-camera-3062541/

Being on a film set can be a thrilling and unique experience. Life as an actor or a crew member is exciting, given that the entertainment industry is such a creative field. This being said, a film set is not free from dangers. When you create a film, there are many types and pieces of equipment around.

From filmmaking tools such as extremely large video cameras, various electronic devices, lighting, sound and audio equipment to essential props that need to be included in the movie, there is no denying that a film set can be pretty dangerous if there aren’t required safety measures in place. Plus, even if the production organization adheres to all health and safety regulations, the risk of an unfortunate accident is still present. This is significantly higher in action movies where actors have to do all sorts of stunts that could be potentially dangerous if there isn’t professional protective equipment provided, such as harnesses.

Therefore, some of the most common injuries that can happen on a film set include falling from heights during stunts, vehicle accidents, or objects falling and hurting crew members. Although there aren’t many cases of fatal injuries happening on film sets, it is crucial not to ignore the probability of such accidents. For this reason, knowing what to do in case you get injured on a film set is vital.

Here are a few things you need to take into consideration when working on a film set, regardless of the role you have, whether you are an actor, director or another member of the team:

Most Common Injury Types That Could Happen

No matter the length and the type of movie, whether it is a TV Show, motion picture movie or commercial, one thing is certain: the amount of work behind the scenes to create the final product is massive. Indeed, the bigger the project and film budget, the higher the risks. This means that actors and other workers involved in the process are predisposed to more hazards on the set. For example, for an action film, the possibility of any of the common injuries happening is higher. At the same time, if the production crew has a larger budget, safety measures are likely to be taken.

However, it is crucial to enumerate some of the most common injuries that can take place on a film set. They are as follows:

• Falls and trips: given that there are so many cables and wires coming from all the necessary equipment such as digital devices and high-tech cameras, the likelihood of someone tripping on a wire, falling and getting injured is quite high. This can happen if there aren’t cable covers installed.
• Equipment failure: depending on the nature of the equipment, several injuries could happen. For instance, if there is a device or wiring failure, there is a risk of electrocution if the danger is not immediately handled. Another equipment failure could be in the case of a harness used when actors or doubles are doing stunts. So, it is crucial that any equipment is properly maintained.
• Injury from pyrotechnics and other special effects: it is no surprise that when shooting a film, especially one with a considerable budget, various special effects are included. Adhering to all health and safety regulations is of the utmost importance to avoid any crew member from getting hurt while any special effects are running.
• Falling unattended objects: as mentioned above, you should expect special effects and incredible stunts to be included on a film set. For this reason, given that there are so many necessary props and pieces of equipment, there are high chances of an object falling and hurting someone if it is left unattended.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you get injured to no fault of your own on a film set, it is crucial to know the necessary steps in claiming compensation. But before knowing the following steps, it is also helpful to be mindful of the most common accidents in this environment, especially if you are a newcomer to this industry.  

 

Seek Medical Attention Right Away

A noteworthy mention that must be addressed is that you need to seek medical attention right away if you are involved in an accident, regardless of its severity. Whether your injury is minor or not, it is of the utmost importance to have a medical professional check your health condition.

Only this way can you eliminate the risk of developing a more serious problem, especially if the initial injury doesn’t seem worrying. Plus, film sets and studios have professional first aid kits provided. And if the injury doesn’t appear to be minor, it is crucial to call an emergency medical team. It is better to be safe than sorry. Once you have been cleared from a medical perspective, you can proceed with the next steps of filing a compensation claim.

 

Gather As Much Evidence As Possible

This next step is crucial, given that only with evidence can you strengthen your compensation case. Professional lawyers in personal injury law from Legal Expert state that “your compensation claim has higher chances of winning provided there is solid and thorough evidence collected. For this reason, it is crucial you gather as much proof of accident as possible to have a strong case and be able to receive the compensation amount you deserve for the damages suffered.”

Some of the necessary evidence needed include photographs and any visual content of the scene of the accident and the injury and witness statements that can corroborate how the events have unfolded. If you are unable to do this by yourself, it is recommended to ask a colleague or friend to help you gather the evidence and report the accident.

 

Hire Professional Help to Support Your Compensation Claim

The help of a lawyer specialized in personal injury law can be substantial. When a person suffers from an injury, even if it is pretty minor, the last thing they want to do is handle the compensation claim case all by themselves.

These cases are lengthy and require a great deal of time to gather evidence and handle all the necessary detail in order to get the deserved compensation. Therefore, a personal injury lawyer can give you some peace of mind at a time when you have already suffered emotional distress.