Accidents can happen anywhere, even at work. Slips falls, and other accidents on the job can result in quite serious injuries. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be stressful if you’ve never done it before. It is important to know some of the most common types of injuries that can happen, and what you can do when they happen. This is when you need an Injury Attorney.
Slip and Fall Cases
Generally, in a slip and fall case, you are trying to prove that the owner of the company is responsible for your accident. If the accident happens at someone’s home and it is a fall claim, you would have to be able to prove that the homeowner contributed to the accident, directly or indirectly, through deliberate actions or negligence.
Providing Evidence
For every accident, you must provide the appropriate proof so you can have a well-documented claim. In general, evidentiary responsibility constitutes the fulfillment of one of the following conditions:
Scenario 1
The owner or employee of a property should have realized that there was a dangerous condition that needed repair or removal but did nothing to fix the problem. For example, a large hole in the sidewalk outside a restaurant can cause someone to fall and be injured. If the property owner knew about the hole but did not repair it in a timely manner, they may be liable for the accident. Or, if there were wet floors and the property owner failed to put up proper signage warning customers of dangerous conditions, there could be a liability. In both examples, time is a crucial factor in determining liability.
Scenario 2
The owner or employee of the property actually causes the slip and fall. If, for example, an employee leaves an obstacle on a walkway and someone trips, the owner could be held liable for the injuries that occur.
Scenario 3
Proving that you are not responsible for your own slip and fall can be difficult at times. If the business in question has posted routine maintenance and safety checks, posts appropriate signs to warn customers of dangerous conditions, and works to correct potential hazards or obstacles in a timely manner, winning a claim or lawsuit may be difficult for you. In addition, if you were doing something at the time of the accident that could have contributed to your injuries (for example, ignoring warning signs, sending text messages or talking on the phone, or walking in a prohibited area), you may be partially liable, even if the property owner shares some of the blame, reducing the amount of compensation for injuries.
The Most Common Workplace Injuries
As you can probably imagine, slip and falls are the most common type of accident in the workplace each year, accounting for about one-third of all personal injury claims. The most common reasons for these accidents include wet floors, slippery surfaces, broken carpets, poor lighting, tripping over power lines, bad weather conditions, and road obstacles.
Slips and falls can lead to head, neck, and back injuries, broken bones, lacerations, and many other problems. The best way to prevent these accidents is to wear proper footwear (shoes with good traction!), You should also be alert and pay attention when walking, and report any potential safety hazards to your supervisor as soon as you notice them. If you are the supervisor, you should repair any potentially dangerous conditions as soon as possible.
Machinery Accidents
Working with heavy machinery always presents risks, and improper handling of machinery can have disastrous consequences. The most common types of injuries that occur when a machine traps or hits a body part in a work environment include crushed hands and arms, severed fingers, and blindness.
One of the most important ways to prevent these injuries is to always wear the correct protective equipment, always follow safety protocol when operating machinery, and make sure all machinery is properly maintained. If you see an issue that needs repair, report it immediately.
Overexertion Injuries
Heavy manual labor accounts for millions of dollars in workers’ compensation claims each year. You can prevent these injuries by making sure you are performing manual labor tasks correctly (with training), taking frequent breaks, and using protective equipment.
Safety Regulations
If you don’t think your workplace complies with federal and environmental safety regulations, or if you’ve been injured in a workplace accident and need to file a workers’ compensation claim, contact an Injury Attorney to help you.
Contact A Law Firm
Do your research to locate a law firm to schedule an initial consultation where details of your case will be reviewed and receive advice on the best way to proceed to receive compensation for your injuries. You don’t have to go through this alone!
