Workers Compensation Attorneys NY
More than 20 percent of worker injuries in the U.S. are due to slip and fall accidents. That adds up to over 1 million Workers’ Compensation cases a year. These accidents can happen in any work environment, from office jobs to hospitals or construction sites.
The good news is theWorkers’ Compensation law protects workers’ who suffer slip and fall accidents and also recognizes that these accidents can happen all too easily at work. People trip on carpets, phone lines, wet floors and sometimes without any specific cause. All of those incidents fall within theWorkers’ Compensation law. If you slipped or fell at work and were hurt as a result, you might be owed benefits for medical bills and lost wages while you recover.
With an injury to an extremity, you may be entitled to a cash award for any permanent loss of use you may have suffered, even if you don’t lose time from work.
Common Slip and Fall Accidents
Some of the most common types are:
- Falls from heights, such as from ladders, staircases or machinery
- Same-level trips and falls, for example from uneven surfaces or quick movements
- Falls on slippery surfaces, such as from spilled liquids or icy patches (both indoors and outdoors)
Although falls from heights can seem the most dangerous, all of these accidents can cause serious injuries that have a lasting impact. If you have been hurt, don’t take your injury lightly!
Accident Causes
Prevalent Injuries for a Slip and Fall Accident
Whether a person is running errands to a store or eating out at a restaurant, a slip and fall accident can happen anytime. All it takes is for a staff member or owner to be negligent when it comes to the safety of visitors. A frequent scenario for slip and fall accidents are when people slide on liquids or rain puddles that went unattended to by employees. Owners of businesses have a duty to provide a safe environment for visitors and shoppers.
At Polsky, Shouldice, & Rosen, P.C., we believe in holding the responsible parties accountable for their negligence when it came to safety of others. We have been dedicated to helping clients seek compensation for many years. Here in the article to follow, we have provided information about the most prevalent injuries for slip and fall accidents, in addition to why you may want to meet with an attorney.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
It is not surprising for slip and fall accident victims to need ongoing, long-term and extensive treatment. If you or a loved one received medical attention after a fall, request copies of medical evaluations and expenses paid out of pocket. The more information you gather, the more thoroughly an attorney at Polsky, Shouldice, & Rosen, P.C. can perform a consultation. The injuries for such a collapse can be agonizing and costly. The most common areas of injury after an accident include:
- Broken Bones and Fractures: depending on how the victim landed, he or she may suffer from a broken hand, wrist, forearm, kneecap, ankle, elbow and more.
- Head and Brain: after slipping and amidst the fall, the victim may hit his or her head on a nearby object or when directly hitting the ground. Symptoms of a head injury can include cognitive impairment, seizures, and vomiting.
- Neck, Back and Shoulders: falling can lead to herniated discs, damaged vertebrae, muscle sprain or torn ligaments.
- Spinal Cord: the victim may suffer some degree of paralysis or loss of functioning in certain areas of the body if the spinal cord was injured.
- Hip Fractures: not only are hip injuries painful, but can require surgery and a lengthy healing process.
What To Do After a Slip and Fall
If you have fallen in a retail store or business and were injured, you should report the incident to a supervisor immediately for documentation. Get medical attention if needed. If anyone witnessed the slip and fall happen, collect their name and contact information. Take photographs of what caused you to fall before it can be taken away or cleaned up, so you have evidence. After reporting the incident, representatives may attempt to contact you for a statement about what happened. We highly recommend speaking with an attorney at Polsky, Shouldice, & Rosen, P.C. before giving these details to anyone. What you say may be used to hinder your case if you decide to file a lawsuit against the person or company responsible for your injuries.
Your employer has the responsibility to keep you as safe as possible. This means fixing known problems and safety risks. However, no matter how hard you or your company try to stop accidents from happening, not all accidents can be prevented.
Major causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Spilled liquids
- Damaged floors
- Cracked or broken stairs
- Broken or missing guardrails
- Mats that are not secured
- Exposed cords and wires
- Unmarked hazards
- Poor or broken lighting
If you were hurt at work and one of these issues caused your accident, you have the right to file a Workers’ Compensation claim (see our Workers’ Compensation Claim Process).
Common Injuries
Common slip and fall accidents range from minor annoyances to severe problems.
The types of injuries that result from these accidents can include:
- Sprains
- Strained muscles
- Cuts and burns
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Herniated disks
- Joint injuries (knees, shoulders, etc.)
- Head trauma
- Spinal injuries
These slip and fall injuries can happen indoors or outdoors. You don’t even have to work in a “high-risk” job to get an injury that can cause lasting pain and suffering.
Were You Injured?
What might seem like a small issue at the time, like falling on your wrist or twisting your back wrong way, can lead to months or even years of pain, suffering and physical therapy.
If you fell and were injured at work, regardless of the circumstances you could have a legitimate claim. If you need help or advice, we’re here to fight for you.
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for legal advice. If you need legal advice please contact us.
Client Review
“Polsky , Shouldice and Rosen is a competent law practice that delivers results. The office is always clean and inviting, and the staff is pleasant. They have parking in the back which makes things that much easier. I was lucky enough to have Adam L Rosen represent me in a workers compensation case. Adam Rosen is a pleasant, down to earth and respectful individual. As for my case, he and his staff took care of everything, kept me informed and made the experience stress free along the way. Most importantly, he and his law firm delivered a relatively good result. I hope this review helps someone looking for a good lawyer.”
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