Slip and fall accidents are a common occurrence in the workplace and can result in serious injuries that impact an employee’s health, quality of life, and ability to work. An on-the-job injury can happen in any work environment, from offices to construction sites.
Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents can quickly become a complicated legal mess. That’s why it’s so important for companies to take preventative measures to avoid hurting their own employees.
For this reason, this blog post will discuss the causes of slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace, ways to prevent them, and how an experienced slip-and-fall attorney can help you seek compensation if you get injured on the job.
What are the most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents?
According to the National Safety Floor Institute, over 1 million visits to the ER are due to slip-and-fall accidents. This statistic helps explain why slip-and-fall accidents are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims. Now, what exactly are the factors that cause slip-and-fall accidents? The most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents are:
- Wet or slippery floors: Any spill or leak that has not been properly identified and addressed may lead to slippery floors.
- Poor lighting: Inadequate lighting can make it difficult for employees to see hazards, especially in stairways or outdoor walkways.
- Cluttered walkways: When equipment or supplies are not stored correctly, and there’s debris or obstacles in the way, it can increase the chance of workers tripping.
- Uneven or damaged surfaces: Any cracks, raised tiles, or other floor damage can cause workers to trip.
- Improper footwear: Employees who don’t wear work boots or other shoes with appropriate slip-resistant soles may be more likely to experience slip and fall accidents.
- Weather conditions: If employees carry their work outdoors, weather conditions like snow, ice, rain, or any other severe weather conditions can create hazardous walking conditions.
- Lack of safety protocols: If employers fail to implement and enforce safety protocols, this often leads to slip and fall accidents.
Now that you know some of the most common reasons for slip-and-falls, as an employee, you can warn your employer about these hazards so they can take proactive measures to prevent these accidents, promoting a safe work environment.
How to prevent slip and fall accidents?
You may be aware of what can cause a slip-and-fall accident – but that’s half of the battle. To prevent these workplace incidents, employers may need to take other actions. Here are some tips on how to prevent you and your coworkers from getting injured:
- Wear appropriate footwear: If your shoes are slip-resistant, puncture resistant, have a safety toe, and come with good traction to prevent slipping on wet surfaces, you’re good to go!
- Pay attention to any warning signs: If there’s a wet floor sign or any other sign that warns of potential hazards, read them before passing through so you can adjust your walking accordingly.
- Walk carefully on wet surfaces: If you need to go through a work area, and it’s wet, try to take shorter steps and walk slowly.
- Use handrails: When going up or down stairs or ramps, always use handrails to keep your balance.
- Keep walkways clear: If you see any obstacles or clutter in work areas, report them to your supervisor, and avoid creating obstructions yourself.
- Use adequate lighting: Make sure all work areas are properly illuminated to help you see if there are any hazards in your path.
- Report hazards immediately: If you see any hazards, such as a spill or a broken tile, report them to your supervisor immediately so they can be addressed.
By following these tips, as an employee, you’re taking an active role in preventing slip and fall accidents in the workplace and promoting a safer work environment for yourself and your coworkers.
How to receive compensation for a slip-and-fall accident?
Despite taking the proper precautions and promoting a culture of workplace safety, accidents can still occur. Therefore, if you slip and fall at work, you’re eligible to seek compensation for your injuries. To ensure you receive all of your workers’ comp benefits, these are the steps you should take:
- Report the accident: The first step is to report the accident to your supervisor as soon as possible. By doing so, not only will they be notified of the incident and a report will be created, but this can lead to appropriate steps being taken to address any hazards that contributed to the accident. Remember, in Georgia, you have up to 30 days to report your accident to the appropriate manager so you don’t lose your benefits.
- Seek medical attention: After reporting the accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. For serious and life threatening injuries, insist on going to the hospital. Don’t let your employer convince you to use a clinic – they don’t have the legal right to force you to use a clinic. Once emergency care has ended, your employer must show you a list of approved doctors and let you pick. We recommend that for serious injuries, you consult with an attorney before you pick, because the doctor that you pick will largely be in control of your case. A good local attorney will know which doctors are fair, and which are insurance insiders who will not act in your best interests.
- Document the incident: Actions such as taking photos of the accident scene, gathering witness statements, and keeping a record of any communication with their employer or insurance company will help you have the proof needed to show you were indeed injured on the job and paint a better picture of what your claim is worth.
- Hire an attorney and file a claim: If you’re unsure of your rights after getting seriously injured on the job, you should consult with a workers’ comp attorney immediately. In fact, a lawyer can guide you with filing your workers’ comp claim, helping you avoid mistakes, and ensure you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
Call us today at (404) LAW-TEAM or visit morrisonhugheslaw.com to start your case!
