Every year in America, more than 7 million people are injured in the workplace. These injuries can range from major to minor and occur across a number of different industries.
No matter the severity of your injuries, knowing what to do after a slip and fall at work is essential. This ensures that you receive the proper support during your recovery and that you follow your workplace accident policy.
So what exactly should you do after a slip and fall accident in the workplace? Read on to find out more!
Seek Medical Attention
Slips, trips, and falls, no matter how mild, can result in serious injuries, especially if you have hit your head. This is why it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
More than 130 million people visit emergency rooms across America every year. So if you need to visit the local hospital you’ll be in good company!
Getting a proper medical assessment will help to rule out serious or life-threatening injuries caused by your fall. It also means that you will have a recovery plan prescribed by a medical professional. This is essential if you are going to recover properly from your injuries.
However, getting a medical report after your accident is also important if you are planning to get support from a slip and fall lawyer. They will use this as proof of your injuries to build a case on your behalf. If you are thinking about getting help from a slip and fall attorney, you can read more here.
Look for Evidence of Your Accident
In most instances, a slip and fall in the workplace are caused by something. For example, you might have slipped or tripped on:
- Wet flooring that was not properly signposted
- Uneven flooring
- Clutter or mess that became a trip hazard
- Potholes in outdoor pathways or parking lots
- Cracks in the flooring or sidewalks
- Uneven staircases (or staircases that did not have proper railings fitted)
- Torn carpet or the unsecured corner of a carpet
- Fresh wax that was not properly signposted
Your fall may also have been the result of poor lighting in the area that you were walking.
It is important to find the cause of your fall as soon as possible so that you can warn others about this hazard. If your fall was caused by a lack of proper slip and fall safety or maintenance then you may have a lawsuit on your hands.
If you are gathering evidence about your fall then it’s a good idea to look for CCTV footage of the fall itself. This will show exactly what happened when you fell and what caused it. If you are unable to get footage of the accident then eyewitness accounts can also be useful as evidence. Click here for Warnett Hallen LLP .
Report the Incident to Your Workplace
Whether you are looking for compensation or not, you must report your accident to your workplace. This is often reported to someone in a managerial position.
This ensures that your workplace has a record of all the incidents that take place there. It also makes them aware of potential hazards in the workplace. This gives them the opportunity to remove these or put appropriate safety measures in place so that your colleagues don’t have similar accidents.
When reporting an incident, you should always do this in writing and include the date. That way you have a record of the report if your employer fails to act on it.
If you report your accident via email then you will automatically retain an electronic copy of this. If you get in touch with your manager via letter then it is a good idea to hold onto a copy of this for your records. Once you are well on the way to recovery it is a good idea to check in with your manager to see that any hazards have been dealt with properly.
Get in Touch With a Lawyer
If you have been injured in the workplace, then you may be entitled to compensation. This will definitely be the case if your accident was the result of poor maintenance or safety planning.
No matter what your relationship with your employer, you are entitled to look into this option. In fact, any decent employer will understand and respect your right to compensation after suffering from an accident at work.
This compensation can provide valuable financial support while you recover from your accident. It can also go a long way to covering any medical bills resulting from your injuries and their treatment.
To find out whether or not you have grounds for compensation, you should get in touch with an experienced workplace injury lawyer. They will be able to review the details of your accident and decide whether or not you have grounds to make a claim.
If you do decide to go ahead then they will help you put together a strong case. They will represent your interests and help gather evidence to support your claim. This all means that you can focus your energy on the most important thing: getting better!
Keep These Tips in Mind While Recovering From a Slip and Fall at Work
As you can see, if you have suffered from a slip and fall at work, there are plenty of things you need to do after the accident itself. Some of these steps will aid your practical recovery and help to prevent similar accidents from happening again.
However, if you are looking for compensation after your accident, it is essential that you gather evidence about your fall and get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible. They will help you put together a strong case.
For more great legal advice, keep scrolling now!
