You might be surprised to learn how frequently slip and fall incidents occur at work. In reality, accidents like these are a common reason for injuries and lost workdays. A workplace slip and fall can cause severe injuries with long-lasting effects, whether it’s due to a damp surface or uneven flooring.
Both employees and employers should be aware of the workplace dangers that could cause a slip or fall, as well as how to avoid them.
Slick, damp, or sloping surfaces are the main causes of slips. As well, shoes can be important. Several slips are brought on by employees not taking their time or paying enough attention to the walking surface as they cross a perilous section of wet or slippery ground, including:
- Liquid puddles
- Icy or snow-covered terrain
- A sticky surface
- Loss of traction brought on by dust or debris such as vinyl or tile, is uneven or slippery.
- Sloped ramps or non-slip surfaces in general
- Floor mats or loose area rugs that don’t have enough traction on the ground beneath
In addition, slip and fall incidents are the main reason for workplace injuries in sectors like manufacturing, construction, retail, and health care. Accidents of this nature can cause serious injuries, such as broken bones or brain trauma, necessitating missed work and high medical costs.
You must take a few actions to safeguard your rights if you sustain injuries in a slip and fall accident at work. The following is an example of these:
1. Describe to your manager
Your manager or another company representative should be notified right away if you slip and fall at work, if your injury permits. By doing this, you can make sure you are according to the firm’s workers’ compensation process guidelines.
2. Dependable proof
If at all feasible, gather proof of what occurred during the slip and fall event. It could be challenging to do this right away after getting harmed, but it will be very helpful if your version of events is contested. Take pictures of the workplace conditions that contributed to your slip and fall. Make a note of the names of any witnesses to the incident and, if possible, ask them for statements.
3. By the due date, submit your claim
One of the most crucial actions to take following a workplace injury is to submit your workers’ compensation claim within the allotted time frame before the deadline.
4. Consult an attorney
You might wish to talk about your choices with an attorney who is knowledgeable in employment law if you feel overburdened by the procedure or unconfident that the compensation would pay the care you require for your injuries. In order to ensure that your documentation is filed accurately and on time, hire a lawyer. If your claim is rejected, they can represent your interests in an appeal. They can also give you advice on whether you should sue your employer if the compensation granted is insufficient to pay for the medical care your injury demands. This may be necessary even if your claim is approved.
5. Look for Medical Attention
After experiencing a workplace slip and fall, you should get medical help as quickly as you can. You should still visit a doctor for an examination even if you don’t believe you were seriously injured. Severe injuries can take days or even weeks to start hurting you or significantly affecting your ability to go about your everyday activities. When you try to pursue workers’ compensation benefits if you wait too long to consult a doctor, your employer can try to claim that your injuries happened off the job. After a slip and fall, it’s important to have an accurate diagnosis of your injuries to support your case that they are work-related.
6. Collecting data
Immediately following an accident is the ideal moment to obtain information about the accident scene. If you are seriously hurt, ask a friend or family member to go back to your workplace and obtain some basic information.
Investigate the incident to see what led to your fall. Check to see if there are any wet floors, if there were any cables in the walkway, or if you tripped over a store display. You will have a greater chance of determining out what caused the fall and what the store could have done to better protect you.
7. The Value of Witnesses
Any eyewitnesses to your accident could be crucial to your case if they were present. Your story appears more convincing if it can be corroborated by someone else who witnessed your mishap.
Alternatively, you may ask them to describe what they saw in writing. After speaking with these witnesses, your attorney will follow up. They’ll be asked to submit thorough written statements.
Don’t panic if no one saw your mishap, you may not have any witnesses. Having witnesses is incredibly helpful even if your claim for compensation isn’t strong.
8. Report a Problem
It is a good idea to immediately inform your manager or the property owner after a workplace mishap in which you fall. They could want you to complete an incident report about your mishap.
Also, it is a good idea to alert local law authorities and submit a police complaint. An official police report ought to contain:
- What time and place the accident happened
- A synopsis of the event
- Name and contact details for the on-duty manager and the property owner
- Names and phone numbers of witnesses
- A detailed account of your injuries
- The timing of your injuries can be determined with the use of these official reports.
The defense attorney’s efforts to show that you did not worry about your injuries will be completely stopped by this.
Conclusion
You have too much to lose by going up against the insurance provider alone if you’ve been gravely harmed, especially if you could be entirely or partially paralyzed.
Insurance providers are infamous for underestimating pay replacement benefits and offering lower offers to claimants who aren’t represented by an attorney. Ensure the financial security of both you and your family. It is free to learn the worth of your injury claim and what a knowledgeable workplace injury lawyer can do for you.
