Work is where we spend a large part of our waking hours. With this in mind, it is no surprise that people are often injured in the workplace. It is not just blue collar workers either. Employees can be injured just as easily in an office as on a worksite. One of the most common ways for injuries to happen is through a slip and fall.
What Is a Slip and Fall Injury?
A slip and fall injury, sometimes called a trip and fall injury, is when a person is hurt after slipping, tripping on a hazard, or falling. Sometimes these accidents occur due to negligence, but more often they are just an accident that occurs while someone is going about their normal day. While many slip and falls result in no more than a bruise and hurt pride, some result in serious, sometimes life-changing, injuries.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents at Work
Slip and fall accidents are so prevalent because of how easily they can happen. There are a multitude of factors which can cause a person to fall, including:
● Wet or slippery floors.
● Uneven surfaces or loose flooring.
● Poor lighting.
● Cluttered walkways or hallways.
● Tangled cords on the floor.
● Weather-related hazards, such as rain, ice, and snow.
● A lack of warning signs.
● Reaching for objects placed high up.
As you can see, a workplace can easily become the perfect environment for a slip and fall accident to occur.
Types of Injuries Caused by Workplace Falls
While a fall may seem innocuous, it can actually cause serious injury. Some of the most common injuries seen in workplace slip and falls include:
● Sprains and strains of the ankles or wrist.
● Fractures and broken bones, especially in the wrist and arm.
● Head injuries and concussions.
● Back and spinal injuries.
● Knee, ankle, and shoulder injuries.
● Soft tissue injuries.
While some of these injuries can be completely recovered from, others can lead to lifelong complications. For this reason, slip and fall injuries should be taken extremely seriously and prompt medical attention should be your first priority if you find yourself suffering from one.
Are Slip and Fall Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Fortunately, workers’ compensation does cover slip and fall injuries that occur in the workplace. After a slip and fall, workers’ comp will generally cover medical bills and lost wages, which can be of great help while you recover. Of course, the injury must have occurred in the course and scope of your employment, meaning that it happened while you were performing job duties or activities for the employer’s benefit.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall at Work
To ensure that you receive workers’ compensation benefits, it is important that you act fast after a slip and fall injury. You should report the injury immediately to your supervisor. You should then seek medical attention, being sure to keep copies of all medical bills and records. You should also document the scene of the injury and find coworkers who can act as witnesses. This will help should your workers’ comp claim be denied.
It should be noted that how long you have to report the injury will vary by state. For example, Massachusetts workers’ comp law allows for claims to be filed within 4 years of the date you become aware of a connection between your injury/illness and your employment. However, you should file as soon as you are aware of the injury. This will ensure that proper evidence and witness statements can be collected.
Common Reasons Slip and Fall Claims Are Denied
Unfortunately, slip and fall claims can be denied. Reasons for this happening include:
● Employer claiming that your injury occurred outside of work or while you were engaging in behavior outside of your scope of duties.
● You did not report the injury in a timely manner.
● It is suspected that your injury was actually caused by a preexisting condition.
● Allegations of employee negligence against you.
● Lack of witnesses or evidence.
If your claim is denied, do not panic. You have the ability to appeal the decision. However, you should be sure to collect additional evidence to ensure it is successful.
How a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help
When making a workers’ comp claim, it is always wise to hire an attorney. Job related injury lawyers know exactly what evidence needs to be collected to build a strong claim. Additionally, they can handle the entire appeal process if necessary. When you obtain legal representation, you are giving yourself the best chance of having a successful claim.
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