Slip and fall accidents occur every now and then at workplaces. Whilst some slip and fall accidents are relatively benign, others could be fatal, leaving you with an avalanche of medical bills to pay and keeping you away from the work you love. Have you been involved in a slip and fall accident whilst on on-the-job? Rest assured – hiring the services of a seasoned workers’ compensation attorney can provide you with the legal assistance you need to handle your compensation claim. Book a free consultation today. We will be glad to talk you through your injury and offer whatever assistance you require to make a full claim of your compensation benefits.

CAUSES OF ON-THE-JOB SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS

Per a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2014, about 270,000 workers were absent from work for one or more days as a result of injuries from falls, including slip and fall accidents at the workplace with approximately 800 workers perishing in such accidents. Though non-fatal fall accidents are pervasive in the health service and wholesale and retail industries, it is the construction industry that records the highest amounts of fall-related deaths.

Workers who tend to be the most exposed to falls at the workplace include

Extraction workers
Construction workers
Logistics movers

Janitors

A number of things can trigger slip and fall accidents at work including

Wet and slippery floors

Uneven flooring

Damaged flooring

Inadequate lighting

Walkways that are poorly maintained

Loose rugs

An interesting thing to note is that during the winter-weather conditions, risks leading to slip and fall accidents tend to go up a notch with the BLS relating 42,480 injuries at work directly to ice, sleet or snow in 2014

INJURIES RESULTING FROM SLIPS AND FALLS

Unfortunately, injuries resulting from slip and fall accidents can be catastrophic to say the least. However, it so often happens that even though some slip and fall injuries may not be dire at first, by not seeking medical care as soon as possible, people only worsen their injuries. This may be because they feel totally fine initially or they are too embarrassed to report the matter.

Nonetheless, failure to immediately report any slip and fall accident at the workplace can significantly hurt your chances of successfully pursuing a workers’ compensation claim. Common slip and fall injuries at the workplace include

 

Fractures

Concussions

Spinal cord injuries

Paralysis

Death

CAN I FILE A WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIM?

Yes, you can. As a matter of fact, most employers have slip and fall accidents covered by their insurers and if you happen to find yourself a victim of a slip and fall injury whilst performing a task at work, you may be able to claim the following benefits

Medical treatment for injuries

Lost wage benefits

Death benefits for surviving family members

CAN I FILE A LAWSUIT?

Ideally, you cannot file a suit against an employer for work-related injuries. What you can however do is to file a lawsuit against a third party who contributed to your injury, be it your employer or a colleague. By so doing, you can recover damages separate from the benefits offered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH OUR ATTORNEYS

At Ratto Law, you are provided a free consultation to discuss your workers’ compensation claim and the circumstances surrounding your accident and injury. We will not charge you any legal fees until after we have helped you recover the compensation you deserve. Schedule your free consultation today at (800) 593-2971.