Can I Be Compensated for a Work-Related Slip and Fall Accident?
Posted on behalf of James Lynch on January 18, 2018 in Workers' Compensation News. Updated on February 24, 2022
Slip and fall accidents are common in the workplace and can lead to serious injuries that could leave you with mounting medical bills and having to miss time from work.
If you were injured in an on-the-job slip and fall accident, hiring an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can provide you with legal assistance to handle your claim when you need it the most. Schedule a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your injury and determine if you are entitled workers’ compensation benefits. We will help you with all aspects of your slip and fall claim.
Common Causes for Slip and Fall Accidents at Work
In 2014, approximately 270,000 workers missed one or more days of work because of injuries from falls in the workplace, including slip and fall accidents. Nearly 800 workers were killed in such accidents, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The construction industry has the highest frequency of fall-related deaths. However, non-fatal fall accidents are most prevalent in health services, wholesale industries and retail industries.
Workers who are particularly vulnerable to work-related falls include:
- Construction workers
- Extraction workers
- Transportation and material movers
- Janitors and building maintenance workers
While any worker can fall on the job, some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Lack of training
- Wet products or spills on smooth walking surfaces
- Debris on the ground
- Uneven flooring
- Floor holes
- Slippery or polished floors
- Loose floorboards or rugs
- Unsafe walking ramps
- Unmarked steps
- Poor lighting
- Damaged flooring
- Improperly maintained walkways
The risk for work-related slip and fall accidents increases during winter-weather conditions. In 2014, the BLS attributed 42,480 workplace injuries and illnesses to ice, sleet or snow.
Common Injuries from Slips and Falls
Slip and fall accidents can be serious incidents that may result in debilitating injuries, including:
- Fractures
- Broken hips
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Permanent or temporary paralysis
- Death
Sometimes slip and fall injuries are worsened because people do not immediately report them or seek medical attention.
They may feel embarrassed or may not experience any symptoms of an injury until days or weeks later. However, failing to report a work-related slip and fall injury can affect an injured worker’s ability to recover workers’ compensation benefits or pursue a claim against the negligent party.
Can I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Many slip and fall accidents that occur in the workplace are covered by an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. If you were performing work-related duties at the time of you suffered a slip and fall injury, you may be able to recover benefits such as:
- Medical treatment for your injuries
- Lost wage benefits, including permanent partial disability benefits, permanent total disability benefits or temporary disability benefits
- Death benefits for surviving family members
Can I File a Lawsuit?
Typically, employees cannot file a lawsuit against an employer for a work-related injury. However, an injured worker may have a claim against a negligent third party that contributed to his or her injury.
Some situations in which an employee may be entitled to file a third-party lawsuit for a slip and fall claim include:
- The property owner of the job site failed to maintain a safe premise
- An independent contractor was responsible for causing a slip and fall
By filing a third-party injury lawsuit, an employee may be able to recover damages well beyond the benefits offered by workers’ compensation insurance. This could include compensation for non-economic losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Humiliation or disfigurement
During a free consultation, our experienced attorneys will discuss whether you may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party that caused your slip and fall accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Trusted Attorneys
If your workers’ compensation claim has been denied, or you were provided inadequate benefits to cover your medical expenses or lost wage, contact a skilled attorney as soon as possible.
Our experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyers will work to ensure that your workers’ compensation claim is properly handled. We will fight to help you recover the benefits you need to recover from your slip and fall injury and will help you determine if you have additional options to maximize your compensation.
We will provide you with a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your workers’ compensation claim and the events surrounding your slip and fall accident. Our attorneys work only on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay any legal fees unless we help you recover compensation for you.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form to get started now.