Slip & Fall At Work: What Should I Do Now?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that slip, trip and fall accidents make up the majority of general industry accidents each year. Many of these work-related falls happen when a worker slips or trips on a hazardous condition in their work environment.
In this post, we discuss some of the most common causes of slipping in the workplace and what workers can do after being injured on the job.
Common Causes of Slip Accident At Work
Workers in certain industries are more susceptible to slipping and falling on the job compared to workers in other industries due to the nature of the work environment.
For example, a waiter working in a restaurant may have to walk on a greasy floor in the kitchen area. A waiter may also be exposed to slippery floors throughout the work day due to spilled drinks or other hazardous conditions.
However, slip and fall accidents can affect any worker in any industry.
Some of the most common causes of slip and falls in the workplace include:
- Recently waxed flooring
- Greasy or slick flooring
- Dusty walking surfaces
- Uneven / cracked flooring
- Uneven or unmarked stairs
- Inadequate lighting
- Unmarked hazards such as electrical wiring
Regardless of what causes the accident, victims of slip and fall accidents often suffer injuries that can require significant time away from work to recover. According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), slip and falls represent the primary cause of lost days from work.
What Are My Options?
If you were injured on the job and are now unable to work then you may be wondering what you can do in order to support yourself financially while you recover from your injury.
Fortunately, there are several possible avenues for recovering compensation after a work-related injury. We discuss two of these options below.
Filing A Workers’ Compensation Claim
The first avenue for recovering compensation after a work-related slip and fall is by filing a workers’ compensation claim.
In the State of New York, workers who become injured on the job may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits no matter what caused their injury. Furthermore, slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims in the US.
If your claim is approved then you may be able to receive compensation for certain expenses that are related to your injury including medical costs and a portion of lost wages. These benefits provide financial support during your recovery.
You can contact our New York lawyers today for a free consultation to learn more about your eligibility for workers compensation.
Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit
Unfortunately, many workers’ compensation claims are denied. Even if you do obtain workers’ compensation, it may not be enough to compensate you for all of the damages incurred as a result of your accident.
Aside from workers’ compensation, it may be possible to file a personal injury lawsuit based on the legal concept of premises liability. Premises liability requires a property owner or business manager to maintain safe conditions on their property.
The failure to maintain safe conditions is often considered a form of negligence.
As a result, an injured worker may be to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover certain damages including medical expenses, lost income, physical pain and emotional suffering.
We wrote an interesting article on how to win a slip and fall lawsuit here.
Contact A Lawyer
If you’ve been injured at work then you should contact an experienced attorney to discuss your options. An experienced lawyer will help you determine what the best course of action may be.
Our lawyers are dedicated to helping slip and fall victims throughout New York. You can contact us today for a free consultation on your legal options.
