Workplace falls can happen in almost any occupation, from construction sites and warehouses to offices, restaurants, retail stores, and delivery locations. A worker may slip on a wet floor, trip over equipment, fall from a ladder, or lose balance on an uneven surface. Although some falls result in minor injuries, others can lead to fractures, head injuries, back problems, or other conditions that interfere with a person’s ability to work and carry out daily activities.
Workplace Falls: Common Causes
Workplace falls can occur for many reasons. Understanding what contributed to the accident can be important when determining which legal rules may apply.
Wet or Slippery Floors
Spilled liquids, recently cleaned floors, grease, rainwater, and other substances can create slippery walking surfaces. Businesses and workplaces may use warning signs, barriers, or cleanup procedures to reduce these hazards.
Uneven Walking Surfaces
Cracked flooring, loose carpeting, damaged pavement, potholes, uneven stairs, and unexpected changes in elevation may cause workers to lose their balance and fall. Additionally, poorly maintained walking areas may be especially difficult to identify.
Clutter and Workplace Obstacles
Boxes, cords, tools, merchandise, construction materials, and equipment left in walking paths can create tripping hazards. Keeping aisles and work areas reasonably clear may help reduce the risk of an accident.
Stairways
Falls can also occur on stairs because of damaged steps, loose handrails, slippery surfaces, inadequate lighting, or objects left on or near a staircase. Depending on the circumstances, the condition of the stairway may become relevant when investigating how an injury occurred.
Inadequate Lighting
Employees may have difficulty seeing spills, steps, obstacles, or changes in flooring when a work area is poorly lit. As a result, lighting conditions can be an important consideration when evaluating a workplace fall.
Types of Injuries
The extent of an injury often depends on the height of the fall, the surface involved, and how the worker lands. Even a ground-level slip or trip can sometimes cause significant injuries. Possible injuries may include, but are not limited to, the following.
- Head injuries and concussions
- Neck and back injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee and ankle injuries
- Wrist and hand injuries
- Hip injuries
- Fractured or broken bones
- Muscle, tendon, or ligament injuries
- Cuts and bruising
Some symptoms may appear immediately, while others may become noticeable later. Obtaining appropriate medical attention can help identify injuries and create documentation of the worker’s condition following the accident.
The Necessary Steps You Should Take After a Fall
After a workplace accident, an injured employee should consider reporting the incident to a supervisor, manager, or employer as soon as reasonably possible. Providing information about where and how the accident occurred may help document the event. When possible, workers may also want to preserve information relating to the accident. This could include but is not limited to the following.
- Photographs of the location
- Medical records
- Names and contact information of witnesses
- Incident reports
- Communications with the employer or insurance carrier
Surveillance footage may also exist in warehouses, stores, offices, parking areas, restaurants, and other workplaces. It may be helpful to obtain the surveillance footage as soon as possible, as it may be deleted shortly after an accident has occurred.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation
California’s workers’ compensation system usually applies to qualifying injuries that occur in the course of employment. Depending on the circumstances and the nature of the injury, available workers’ compensation benefits may include, but are not limited to, the following.
- Medical treatment
- Temporary disability benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Other benefits authorized under California law
Third-Party Claim
Some workplace falls involve a person or business other than the injured worker’s employer. In those situations, a separate third-party claim may potentially arise in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. For example, a worker might be injured because of a dangerous condition on property owned or controlled by another business. A fall could also involve a contractor, subcontractor, property owner, equipment company, or another party whose conduct allegedly contributed to the accident.
California law generally preserves an employee’s ability to pursue a claim against a responsible third party even when the employee is also entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Whether a third-party claim exists depends on the specific facts, including who controlled the property or equipment and what caused the fall.
Who is Liable?
Investigating a workplace fall may require examining more than the accident itself. Relevant questions can include the following.
- Who owned or controlled the area where the fall occurred?
- What condition caused or contributed to the fall?
- How long had the condition existed?
- Were warning signs or barriers present?
- Did anyone report the hazard before the accident?
- Were contractors or other companies working at the location?
- Are photographs, surveillance recordings, or witnesses available?
The answers may help determine whether the matter involves workers’ compensation alone or whether another potential source of liability should also be considered.
Seeking Legal Support
Understanding your rights after a workplace fall may be difficult to navigate alone. As a result, it may be beneficial to seek the help of a legal professional who can assist you throughout every step of the legal process. Speaking to a qualified personal injury attorney may help you feel a sense of support and guidance when dealing with injuries and the recovery process.
The Legal Team at KAASS LAW
KAASS LAW is ready to help individuals and their loved ones understand their personal injury claims and the necessary steps they may need to take after a workplace fall. Our legal team may be able to preserve important pieces of information, documentation, and records that may be needed later on. Call KAASS LAW today for a confidential consultation.