Workers Compensation Claims for Slip and Fall Injuries on the Job

UPDATED: Jul 20, 2023Fact Checked

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Jeffrey Johnson

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Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

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UPDATED: Jul 20, 2023

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UPDATED: Jul 20, 2023Fact Checked

You generally can file a workers compensation claim after a slip-and-fall injury in the workplace. Workers compensation benefits are notoriously difficult to obtain, but if you file the proper type of claim under the proper circumstances, you can maximize your chances of success.

Workers compensation claims are made for injuries or illnesses that occur when performing job duties or that occur as a direct result of the employment relationship. There is no need to prove negligence or carelessness on the part of the employer, as there would be if you were to file a lawsuit against your employer. Even if your injury was caused in whole or in part by your own negligence, you would not be disqualified from workers comp benefits. The key to a successful clam lies in the connection between your activity and the employment relationship.

Qualifying for Workers Compensation

If you were on a lunch break when you slipped and fell, then your likelihood of recovering under the workers compensation system is reduced considerably. Typically, you need to have been working in order to qualify. For instance, if you slipped and fell while you were traveling to or from work, then you are unlikely to obtain the benefits that you seek. But if you were traveling from your job on a work-related errand for your boss, then workers compensation should cover your injury. Furthermore, it’s important that your behavior when you were injured was not in violation of company policy. Violating company policy is equivalent to getting injured while away on your lunch break; it renders otherwise-acceptable behavior unacceptable from a workers compensation perspective.

Workplace Injury Lawsuits against Third Parties

Most work-related injuries are handled through your state’s workers compensation system. If you receive workers compensation benefits, you are usually precluded from suing your employer. However, if a third party, such as a company making a delivery, was responsible for the condition that caused you to slip, you may have a claim against that company. You’ll want to speak to a personal injury attorney in your jurisdiction to be sure.

Evidence for Your Workers Compensation Claim

The length of time that elapsed between your slip-and-fall and your workers compensation claim may also affect the outcome of the claim. Regardless of the underlying cause, all workers comp injuries must be proven to result directly from the performance of work-related duties. If you slipped and fell, but then waited a long time before filing, then the evidence supporting your case may be reduced. Ensure that you have all the proper evidence when you file your workers comp claim.

To maximize the success of your workers compensation claim, speak with a personal injury attorney to discuss your rights and the details of your situation.

Case Studies: Workers Compensation Claims for Slip and Fall Injuries on the Job

Case Study 1: Successful Workers Compensation Claim

Sarah, a factory worker, slipped and fell while carrying out her regular duties. She suffered injuries to her back and sought workers compensation benefits. Since her injury occurred during work hours and while performing work-related tasks, her claim was considered valid. Sarah was able to receive compensation for her medical expenses and lost wages, helping her recover and return to work.

Case Study 2: Limited Eligibility for Compensation

John, an office employee, slipped and fell during his lunch break in the company cafeteria. As the injury occurred during a non-working period, he faced difficulties in qualifying for workers compensation benefits. Despite filing a claim, John’s chances of receiving compensation were reduced. However, he sought legal advice and discovered that he might have a claim against the company making deliveries to the cafeteria, potentially allowing him to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

Case Study 3: Delayed Claim and Reduced Evidence

Emily, a warehouse worker, slipped and fell while handling inventory but decided to wait several weeks before filing a workers compensation claim. The delay in reporting the incident affected the availability of evidence supporting her case, leading to a weakened claim.

The gap between the injury and the claim submission made it more challenging to prove the direct link between her activity and the employment relationship. Emily learned the importance of promptly reporting work-related injuries and gathering evidence to support her claim, as it significantly impacts the success of the claim process.

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Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

Insurance Lawyer

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.

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