In the US, a slip and fall accident contributes to 15% of all work-related injuries. It’s one of the most prevalent workplace accidents because of other people’s negligence. Even a simple fall can cause severe injuries to the shoulders, back, neck, and head, including the brain. If you suffer a serious injury from a slip and fall accident, hard times will surely follow. You won’t only suffer from the physical pain brought by the injury, but also from financial and emotional stress. Your best option is to file a workers’ compensation claim to cover your medical treatment expenses, wage loss, and other out-of-pocket expenses. ODG Law workers’ compensation lawyers can help you file a claim to ensure that you have the complete requirements and file it as soon as possible. Whether you have a problem with your claim or the insurance company is acting in bad faith, don’t hesitate to contact us at (818) 975-3080 for help.
ODG Law workers’ Compensation Lawyers: What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents in the Workplace?
Accidents not only happen on the road but in workplaces as well. There are several reasons why slip and fall accidents occur in the workplace, such as:
- Spilled oil, chemical, and liquids make the floor or surface wet and slippery
- Uneven, torn, or cracked flooring or carpeting
- Lack of or missing warning signs
- Poor lighting
- Holes in the flooring
- Scattered cords, wires, or cables obstructing the way
- Broken or uneven stairs or ladders
- Materials littered on the floor
What Kind of Slip and Fall Injury that Workers May Sustain in a Workplace?
A slip and fall accident in a workplace can cause several kinds of injuries ranging from minor to severe or even death of a worker. These injuries may include:
Spinal Cord Injury
When you experience a slip and fall accident, the spinal cord is the most commonly affected based on the position of the fall. The injury affects the central nervous system and usually causes lasting changes in sensation, strength, and other body functions beneath the point of injury. Symptoms include:
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Loss of movement
- Exaggerated reflex activities or spasms
- Loss of or altered sensation, including the ability to feel heat, cold, and touch
Broken Bones
Another injury a slip and fall accident may cause is broken bones. When the bone receives too much pressure there’s a tendency that it will break or split. A break, whether big or small, becomes a fracture. When a broken bone pierces the skin, it’s known as an open fracture or compound fracture.
A stress fracture, on the other hand, develops due to repeated or continued forces against the bone. The recurrent stress debilitates the bone until it eventually breaks.
Head Injuries
The head is also vulnerable when it comes to a slip and fall accident. An injured worker may suffer a contusion, concussion, closed head injury, or hematoma.
Puncture Wounds
The injured worker may also suffer from punctured wounds when he lands on sharp or pointed objects such as shards of glass or metal, nails, or sharp-edged wood.
The injuries mentioned above require intensive medical treatment which also means several days, weeks, or even months that you have to miss work. It means extensive and costly medical treatment not to mention wage loss.
Filing workers’ compensation can help deal with your medical expenses and lost salaries. So if you broke your hip from a slip and fall accident, the workers’ compensation will take care of your needs.
However, the insurance company won’t make that easy for you and will give you a hard time. It could either delay or deny your claim. But if you have ODG Law’s skilled workers’ compensation lawyer on your side, they will think twice before they do it.
What You Should Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in the Workplace?
Following a slip and fall accident in the workplace, you must seek immediate medical attention for your injury. It’s crucial that you receive treatment as soon as possible, especially when you suffer from a broken hip or head injury. Don’t forget to report the incident to your employer right away so he could take an action.
File a workers’ compensation claim and at the same time, document everything including the date, time, and place of your injury, and put them in writing if possible.
Contact ODG Law for a wide coverage of representation to help protect your rights and to maximize your compensation.
What Types of Compensation You May Receive from Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Workers’ compensation benefits protect workers from financial responsibility when they become ill or suffer from work-related injuries. As an injured worker, you are eligible to file a claim to cover all your expenses and losses due to an injury from a slip and fall accident. These types of benefits that you may get include:
- Medical treatment
- Temporary disability benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Supplemental job displacement benefits (voucher)
- Death benefits in case the worker died
There’s no specific or exact amount of how much you’re going to get. It’s usually based on your age, the date and type of your injury, your job and duties, and your ability and inability to do tasks regardless of disability. It also includes the kind of job that you can or cannot perform when you’re disabled.
Contact ODG Law for Help
ODG Law understands your situation and we are always ready to help you. Our compassionate and knowledgeable LA workers’ compensation will work with you closely and be with you all the way through the legal process.
We won’t just maximize your compensation and benefits but also ensure that you’ll always feel informed, represented, and educated. We’ll protect and defend you from the insurance company and doctors so you can better focus on your fast recovery.
Our expert LA ODG Law workers’ compensation lawyers will handle your case more effectively and honestly. We’ll foster and protect your financial, physical, and emotional well-being.
Contact ODG Law for genuine help. Call us at (818) 975-3080 and book a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis.
