Workplace Slip & Fall Accidents

Workplace slip and fall accidents can cause serious trauma, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other life-changing conditions. It’s possible to slip, trip, or fall in any type of work environment, from an office building to a construction site. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), work-related slip and fall accidents kill approximately 603 U.S. workers each year and injure about 213,000 more.

Slip and fall accidents are often unexpected, occurring suddenly and quickly injuring a victim. When these incidents take place at work, the resulting injuries can be even more devastating due to the surroundings and additional hazards. Victims of such accidents frequently suffer severe injuries or long-term disabilities that prevent them from being able to work. As such, it is important that injured employees seek workers’ compensation to help them recover from their injuries and not suffer financially while they cannot work.

If a slip and fall accident while working has injured you or someone you love, the experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorneys at Alpert Schreyer Injury Accident Lawyers can help. We have fought for the injured for over 30 years and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, truly changing their lives.

For a free and confidential consultation, call our office at 301-381-2655 today, or contact us online.

The Most Dangerous Workplaces for Slip & Fall Accidents

Out of all occupations, construction workers continue to suffer the highest rate of fatal work-related slip and fall accidents, according to the CDC, with manufacturing workers coming in at a close second. The highest rate of non-fatal work-related slip and fall accidents occurs in the health care and retail sectors. Maintenance crews and people responsible for moving equipment are more likely than other employees in the same workplace to be hurt by a slip and fall, but no worker is immune to the risk.

In order to reduce the number of injury-causing slip and fall accidents in workplaces, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides regulations and guidance to employers about how to protect their workers from these types of accidents. The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Act (MOSH Act) provides similar guidance.

Common Slip & Fall Hazards at Work

According to OSHA, common workplace hazards that may lead to slip and fall injuries include:

• Walkways and workspaces that are slippery, cluttered, or not stable;
• Floor holes, walkways, and wall openings without railings or other protection;
• Ladders, scaffolding, lifts, and similar structures not positioned or fastened correctly; and
• Missing or misused fall protection equipment, like harnesses.

Although OSHA regulations at both the federal and state level require that specific types of protection against falls be used in each of the situations listed above, some workplaces do not follow the rules. The result is that workplace slip and fall injury rates have stayed steady over the years, even though technology and health care have made it easier for us to prevent and treat slips, trips, and falls.

Injuries Caused by Workplace Slips, Trips & Falls

Injuries frequently caused by slip and fall accidents in a workplace include:

• Broken bones
• Concussion or other traumatic head injury
• Spinal cord damage
• Muscle, nerve, and/or soft tissue damage
• Sprains and strains
• Burns or other injuries from chemical spills

Any of these injuries can result in long-term disabilities that keep a person from working or being able to perform the duties necessary for their job. As such, injured workers in Maryland are entitled to workers’ compensation and other services, including vocational rehabilitation to aid them in recovery and finding gainful employment.

Personal Injury Lawsuits for On-the-Job Slip & Fall Accidents

Traditionally, employers have been held responsible for slip and fall accidents occurring on a job site. To compensate for the inevitable, companies are required by Maryland state law and federal mandate to insure their hires against accidents that may occur on the premises during the regular course of their duties. This is known as workers’ compensation and is the surest way for injured employees to gain financial recompense for medical care following an incident.

However, the potential for additional legal action may exist. If a third party was responsible for the workplace slip and fall accident, the victim may file a personal injury lawsuit.

In order to file a successful personal injury suit, the injured party must prove that the employer, third-party supplier or manufacturer, or premises owner:

• Was fully aware of the dangers the particular site in question posed and took no steps to remedy the situation;
• Directly caused the unsafe conditions that resulted in the victim’s fall; and/or
• Should have known about the defective piece of property, because any reasonable manager would have known about it and taken the proper steps to prevent any injuries.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

Beware – insurance companies that represent your employer or a third party entity will attempt to obtain vital information from you or potentially force you into a settlement. Do not accept any of their calls. Before speaking with any insurance agent, company representative, or member of corporate management, we highly recommend you contact the experienced Maryland workers’ compensation lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Injury Accident Lawyers. We can provide the kind of thorough representation and in-depth legal knowledge you’ll need to secure compensation from the at-fault party.

Time is of the essence. Contact our office today at 301-381-2655 to set up a free case evaluation and to discuss your legal options.