Slip and Fall at Work

In most cases, employees cannot sue an employer if they get injured in a slip and fall at work. However, there can be exceptions. If your employer was grossly negligent in causing your accident or did not have workers’ compensation insurance, you could sue and pursue compensation. You could also file a lawsuit if a negligent third party, such as another contractor on your job site, caused the slip and fall. 

Determining your rights and options after a slip and fall at work can be tricky. Therefore, consider speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney who can analyze your case and inform you of your rights and legal options. 

The actions you take immediately after your work accident can determine the success of your workers’ compensation claim or lawsuit. Your best course of action after getting hurt can include:

Immediately Inform Your Employer of Your Injury

Promptly notifying your employer of your accident is critical as your right to workers’ comp benefits can depend on it. After an accident, workers usually fill in a report that includes essential details such as:

• The date and time of the incident
• The cause of the fall
• Details of injuries
• Details of any witnesses 

See a Doctor Promptly 

If you have not already received medical assistance, visit a doctor as soon as possible, even if you only have minor symptoms or feel fine. Delayed symptoms can be common, especially with head or internal injuries. A prompt diagnosis and treatment can be crucial for your recovery. Moreover, getting a medical report can protect your right to compensation. If you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurer may refuse payment, claiming that your injury did not happen at work.

File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Do not wait for your employer to do the right thing and get proactive after a work accident. After telling your employer about your accident, they should provide you with the forms for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Make sure you get the documents as soon as possible. If you do not file a workers’ comp claim within the deadline in your state, you risk losing the right to benefits.

Get in Touch With a Personal Injury Attorney

Most employees injured at work may not know they need legal advice and wait until their workers’ comp claim is denied or they find out that their employer did not have workers’ comp insurance. However, contacting an attorney immediately can have numerous benefits, especially if you suffer a severe injury. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you with a complicated or denied claim and ensure that all the paperwork is completed correctly and deadlines are observed. 

Moreover, you might have legal recourse against another party that caused your accident, such as another contractor on your job site. An attorney from our firm can identify all potential options for recovery and move forward with filing a claim. The sooner you get legal advice, the sooner you can recover what you deserve after your slip and fall at work. 

Other Important Actions 

While getting medical care and legal advice can be your most important steps when hurt at work, consider the following actions that can protect your right to compensation:

• Take pictures of the accident area and your injuries
• Identify coworkers and other eyewitnesses that were present when you fell
• Retain receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses and medical costs in connection with your injury 

Generally, employees on their way to work, whether in a car, on public transport, or on foot, are not covered by workers’ compensation. An exception would be if the fall happened on your employer’s premises, such as the sidewalk or parking lot outside your work. You could then be covered by workers’ compensation even if you have not yet clocked in for work or have already clocked out. 

However, a claim could be complicated if the employer only rents the space and the property owner is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk and parking lot. Since it can be tricky to determine eligibility for workers’ compensation in such circumstances, consider speaking to an attorney to understand your options.

If someone other than your employer was responsible for the slip and fall that caused your injuries and damages, you could file a personal injury lawsuit and receive compensation. You may be entitled to the following damages and others:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of wages
• Property damages, such as broken eyeglasses or phone
• Healthcare costs
• Disability
• Loss of enjoyment
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Generally, the more extensive your slip and fall injuries and medical costs, the higher your settlement amount would be. Since there could be several avenues for recovering compensation and benefits after your work injury, ensure to discuss your case with an attorney as soon as possible. First consultations are always free at Morgan & Morgan. 

Attorney’s fees vary from one law firm to another. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless they recover for you. However, you may be on the hook for legal expenses such as court filing costs and expert witness fees. 

Morgan & Morgan never charges clients out-of-pocket legal expenses or upfront attorney’s fees. We see the devastating impacts of slip and fall injuries daily and know victims often face steep medical bills and other astronomical costs. When we take your case, you don’t have to worry about paying any fees or expenses up front. You only pay if and when we win.

Injured workers should not have to struggle to get an adequate slip and fall at work settlement. Unfortunately, the reality can be different. If you are injured at work, recovering from your physical injuries is often just the beginning of a long and potentially frustrating process to get what you deserve. 

However, the good news is that you do not have to battle on your own. Morgan & Morgan can be here for you. Our experienced and motivated attorneys have helped countless injured workers receive the compensation they needed to put their lives back together. Whether you are unable to get the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve or have to file a personal injury lawsuit, we can be here for you. 

Get America’s largest personal injury firm in your corner today. Contact us for a free case review to identify your options for getting compensation.