No matter the nature of your job, a slip and fall is a common workplace accident to stay aware of. Slip and fall accidents lead to many different injuries, ranging from minor sprains to severe and debilitating injuries. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that slip and fall accidents in the workplace are one of the top causes of injury and death.
There are several reasons that can cause a slip and fall, but the most common causes include:
- Wet floors.
- Loose carpeting or flooring.
- Exposed cables or cords.
- Spills.
- Ice or snow.
- Poorly-lighted areas.
- Uneven stairs.
Some slip and fall injuries are serious and can take months or years to recover from. Although they vary in severity, the most common injuries found from a slip and fall are:
- Neck, shoulder, or back injuries.
- Broken or fractured bones.
- Head injuries, concussions, or brain trauma.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Sprains and strains.
- Muscle, nerve or soft tissue damage.
Determining Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident
If you have suffered a slip and fall injury at work, then there are a few steps to follow if you are capable of doing so:
- Get medical help: Even if your employer requires you to receive medical attention after an incident at work, it is important to have yourself evaluated anyway just in case the injury can get worse. Any delay in assistance and treatment may put your workers’ compensation claim in doubt, so get help immediately.
- Tell your employer: Employers should have proper procedures to follow should any of their employees experience an accident. Follow your workplace procedure for reporting accidents and notify your employer of the accident right away. Any delay in reporting the incident could raise doubt of your injury to the employer and the insurance company.
- Gather information: Write out your detailed version of what happen when you were injured and talk to anybody that witnessed it. Make sure to get their accounts in writing and their contact information. Gather evidence, like photos or videos of the scene and what caused your slip and fall.
- Medical records: Keep track of your diagnosis, doctor visits, and treatment records, and if you need to see any specialists for recovery. You will need this information to help support your workers’ compensation claim.
How is Liability Determined in a Workplace Slip and Fall Claim?
It can be difficult proving liability in a slip and fall case, as it largely depends on location and the how long the hazard was present. For instance:
- An employer or property owner must recognize the hazard and given a reasonable opportunity to remove or repair it. If they have failed to do so and an injury occurred, then they could be held liable for the slip and fall.
- An employer or property owner knowingly caused the hazardous condition, leading to a slip and fall accident, such as leaving the ice out on the sidewalk without salting. It may also be reasonably assumed that an injury can occur again should the hazard remain.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Workers’ compensation falls into four different categories, ranging from how serious your injury or illness is and how long you will likely be out of work:
- Temporary partial disability occurs when you are injured but are expected to make a full recovery, and you are able to return to work but in a limited basis.
- Temporary total disability occurs when you are injured and unable to return to work at all but are expected to recover and make a recovery.
- Permanent partial disability is when you are unable to perform the task you were once have but still able to work in some capacity; however, you are unable to recover fully.
- Permanent total disability is when you are unable to return to work and are unable to make a full recovery.
The West Chester Workers’ Compensation Lawyer at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC Help Those Injured in Slip and Fall Accidents at Work
Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries and may require a lengthy period to recover. If you slip and fall at work, you may be entitled to make a workers’ compensation claim while you recover from injury. Contact our West Chester workers’ compensation lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC right away. Our knowledgeable team has years of experience with workers’ compensation cases and will you navigate these complex claims. Call us today at 610-594-1600 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. With our offices located in Exton, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve all communities of Downingtown, Exton, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Malvern, Lyndell, Wagontown, Uwchlan Township, Parkesburg, Chester Springs, Lancaster County, Reading, and Morgantown.