Slip and fall accidents are very common occurrences in a variety of work settings. In fact, work related slips and falls account for more than twenty percent of all work related injuries. The majority of these types of accidents result in minor injuries such as sprained muscles or pulled tendons. However, there are occasions in which these slip and fall accidents result in serious injuries, including head trauma, herniated disks, amputations and more.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a slip and fall accident at work, contact the law office of Jacoby & Meyers, LLP NY today. Our experienced team of workers’ compensation professionals will offer you excellent legal representation.
There are many causes of slip and fall accidents at work. Some of the most common include broken or uneven stairs, spilled or leaking liquid, cracked or uneven flooring, poor lighting, holes in the floor, or exposed cable wires. While there are many other scenarios that can occur, these are the most common causes of slips and falls at work.
Any employee injured in a workplace slip and fall accident is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Unlike regular lawsuits, workers’ compensation claims do not require proof that the property owner was negligent – proof of your injury alone will be enough to file a claim. Workers’ compensation benefits usually include reimbursement for payment of medical bills, payment for therapy bills and any out of pocket expenses that may have been incurred such as medication.
To begin the work accident claims process, you must first file a report of injury form with your employer. This form must include specific details about your accident, including the date, time and cause of the accident. From there, your employer will give you a list of approved doctors that you can visit and receive workers’ compensation reimbursements from. The physician you choose will then evaluate you and refer you to any specialists he/she deem necessary. Workers’ compensation will continue to evaluate you until it is believed that you are eligible to return to work. You will then be issued a note for maximum medical improvement, allowing you to resume work related activities.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, your doctor may give you a classification regarding your work abilities. These include temporary partial disability, allowing you to resume work activities after a recovery period or permanent partial disability, meaning you can return to work, but not at your previous work capacity. Your employer may be able to give you a position of less rigorous work, or you may need to seek employment elsewhere. Finally, the classification of permanent total disability states that you will not be able to return to any type of work ever again.
It is usually helpful to retain an attorney for workers’ compensation cases to help you navigate the system. If the accident and injuries sustained are serious, contacting a reputable attorney will be key. If you or someone you know has been injured in a slip and fall accident at work, contact the law office of Jacoby & Meyers, LLP NY today. Our team of workers’ compensation lawyers will offer you quality legal representation while fighting for your compensation.