What Should I Do If I Slip and Fall at Work?
If you slip and fall at work, report the incident to your supervisor and explain what happened in detail. Make sure you receive prompt medical attention, either by going to the emergency room or your employer’s doctor as per their workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Even if you initially do not think you were injured, you should still report the event and go to the doctor. Many issues, especially those involving the soft tissues or a concussion, may not appear right away. If you do not report the fall or seek medical help, the insurance company will likely allege the injury did not occur on the job.
If injured, file a worker’s compensation claim as soon as possible. Failure to do so may result in benefits denial or reduction. If the employer is not notified, in writing, of the accident within 30 days, you may lose the ability to claim workers’ compensation benefits.
Under workers’ compensation, it does not usually matter if there was some negligence on the part of the employer. However, depending on the circumstances, other parties may prove partially responsible. The New York City personal injury lawyers at Douglas & London can protect your rights while helping you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.
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Slip and Falls at Work
When a slip and fall occurs at work, the victim should receive coverage for medical expenses and lost wages under workers’ compensation insurance. In most cases, they cannot sue the employer for personal injury. However, if an entity besides the employer is responsible for the slip and fall accident– then they may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. For example, if the employee was working on a third-party’s property, which was not properly maintained– the owner may face a premises liability lawsuit.
Work Slip and Fall Causes
A slip and fall accident at work can happen to anyone, whether they work in an office, on a construction site, retail establishment, or a classroom. Slip and falls are a major component of workers’ compensation claims nationwide. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in the workplace include:
- Wet floors
- Torn carpeting
- Broken stairs
- Poor lighting
- Holes in floors
- Debris in passageways
- Overall poor maintenance
In some industries, such as construction, falling from heights is always a risk. These workers may spend much of their time on scaffolding or ladders. Even if a worker has no idea why they slipped and fell, it is critical to report the incident, seek medical attention, and, if possible, document it immediately after the fall with smartphone photos or videos.
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Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries run the gamut, from the minor to the permanently disabling, and may include:
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury
A severely injured person may never return to the workforce or may no longer perform the job they formerly held. In a worst-case scenario, the person dies from their injuries. Surviving family members may then file a wrongful death lawsuit against any third parties involved.
Contact us today at Douglas & London
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a slip and fall accident at work, you need the services of the experienced New York City slip and fall lawyers at Douglas & London. Call or text us 24/7 to schedule a free consultation or submit our online contact form. We will evaluate your case and let you know your options. Our dedicated lawyers have recovered more than $18 billion for clients in settlements and verdicts.
