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Posted in Workers’ compensation on December 6, 2021
Slip and fall injuries in the workplace are common. They can even be fatal. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident at work, you may be able to pursue worker’s compensation to cover medical expenses and lost wages.
Slip and fall injuries happen in all avenues of life. An average full-time employee spends 40 hours a week at work, which means that there’s a high likelihood of an accident occurring in the workplace.
Some jobs pose a much higher threat of slip and fall injuries. Workplace slip and fall injuries are most likely to occur in industries with strenuous physical requirements, including:
However, slip and fall injuries also occur in less hazardous work environments, including offices, restaurants, and retail stores.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatal slip and fall injuries in the workplace represent about 5% of workplace fatalities for women and 11% for men.
Slip and fall injuries can be fatal. They are the second-leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. Even when they’re not fatal, these injuries can have long-term consequences like chronic pain or reduced mobility.
Some of the most common physical injuries from a slip and fall accident include:
Fractures are the most common form of injury in slip and fall accidents. Fractures can occur in a variety of places on the body, depending on the height and severity of the fall.
Certain body parts are more likely to be injured in a slip and fall accident, including:
Some of these injuries, especially to the vertebrae, can have debilitating long-term consequences. A worker may even lose the ability to continue in a given line of work.
Fractures are painful, which means that most victims notice them immediately. However, even small fractures can turn into big problems without appropriate medical treatment.
In addition to potential long-term medical complications, a workplace slip and fall injury can also bring financial loss.
It’s also possible to be injured so badly that a return to work is delayed significantly. For serious, long-term injuries, an employee may need to switch to light-duty work or change roles completely.
The first step after a slip and fall accident at work is to report the incident to your employer and/or their workers’ compensation provider.
If physical injuries were not noticeable until after the incident, it’s still possible to receive compensation for a slip and fall injury. However, it’s important that you don’t delay too long, as there are limits and deadlines for coverage to apply.
The state of New York has a two-year statute of limitations for filing worker’s compensation claims for injuries.
Sometimes, employers or insurance providers make the process of applying for worker’s compensation difficult. An employer may challenge the claim, blame the worker, or even directly ask the worker not to file a claim. In these situations, it’s a good idea to speak with an attorney to ensure you are fairly compensated.
Slip and fall injuries can have long-term effects on both health and finances. When a worker is injured on company time, their employer is responsible for providing adequate coverage through a workers’ compensation program. This coverage should address medical bills and lost wages, as well as any long-term injury or disability.
If your claim has been delayed or denied, an experienced slip and fall attorney can help to provide advice, direction, and advocacy for fair compensation.
If you need legal assistance, contact the NYC slip & fall accident lawyers at Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation.
We have two convenient locations in New York:
Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
450 7th Ave #409
New York, NY 10123
(212) 564-2800
Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
26 Court St Suite 2511
Brooklyn, NY 11242
(718) 802-1600
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