Slip and fall accidents in the workplace are very common, affecting hundreds of thousands of workers each year. Employees who get into these types of accidents may qualify for vital compensation through their company’s work injury insurance program. Whether they are eligible for these benefits depends on factors like whether they are a full-time or independent contractor, the severity of their condition, and if they file their claim on time.
Williams & Roche, LLC, has the people and resources to help workers navigate the claims process after a job-related slip and fall in South Carolina. We appreciate the challenges that employees may face as they try to pick up the pieces after a sudden incident hurts them. We can help them file the required paperwork and fight for a fair settlement package.
The Prevalence of Workplace Slip and Fall Accidents
According to the National Safety Council, 337,050 people were injured in a slip and fall at work in the 2021 to 2022 reporting year. Additionally, 865 people died in a fatal slip, trip, or fall at work during that same timeframe. The NSC also reports that work-related slips, trips, and falls accounted for about 20 percent of all cases where people had to take time away from their jobs, work on light duty, or change departments because of their injuries.
Wet or Slippery Floors: A Leading Cause of Falls
One contributing factor for work-related slips and falls is wet or slippery floors. These incidents may occur for many reasons.
For example, a customer may spill their drink or drop a bottle of cooking oil on the ground, leaving a large or hard-to-see wet or slippery spot on the ground. A cook or bus person at a restaurant may slip and fall because of splattered oil or sauce in the kitchen. For someone who gets hurt because of a slip and fall at work, the compensation they may be eligible for includes payment of qualifying healthcare costs and supplemental wage loss payments.
Poor Lighting and Its Role in Slip and Fall Accidents
Tripping and slipping hazards can be dangerous in any context, especially in places with poor lighting. For example, people working in movie theaters may have difficulty seeing items or locating spills on the floor in front of them. Likewise, construction workers building a house or commercial building may not be able to see very well because of the lighting, increasing their chance of slipping or tripping because of stray objects.
Uneven or Damaged Surfaces: Tripping Hazards in the Workplace
When businesses do not repair their sidewalks, parking lots, or walkways in a timely manner, it can create hazards for workers. Employees — and patrons — may slip or trip because of uneven ground and damaged or chipped walkways or stairs. During their unexpected fall, workers may hurt themselves because they impact the ground and other objects — like walls, shelves, railings, or products.
Improperly Stored Tools or Equipment: A Hidden Danger
Another source of slips, trips, and falls is fellow employees incorrectly storing their tools or equipment. People who work in construction may be at a higher risk of this type of accident because of the many different pieces of equipment on the job site. For example, a builder may trip on power tools or planks left in the hallway. Or, they may fall off a roof or ladder because they trip on a nail gun or stray object left on the ladder.
The Role of Cluttered Walkways in Workplace Accidents
Workers in many different settings — educational, medical, industrial, commercial, manufacturing, etc. — are all at risk of getting hurt because of objects or products left in walkways. Employees moving quickly or at a steady pace may not see or expect to have to look for items left out on the floor. As a result, they may trip over tools, equipment, or belongings strewn about the walkway.
How Ice, Snow, and Rain Increase Workplace Slip Risks
During rain, snow, and ice seasons, workers have a higher chance of slipping and falling.
Employees are more likely to get hurt in these contexts if unexpected or extreme weather occurs in an area where the climate tends to be milder.
For example, rain can make indoor and outdoor spaces — such as sidewalks and concrete or marble floors — slicker and easier to slip and fall on. Likewise, unexpected snowfall or ice can make surfaces slippier, and businesses that are not prepared for this type of unseasonal weather may not have the equipment to ready their workforces for these circumstances.
Contact Williams & Roche, LLC After a Slip and Fall at the Workplace
When people get hurt in slip and fall accidents in the workplace, South Carolina law may provide them with a pathway to secure compensation and medical coverage while they recover.
Eligible workers may include those who were doing work for their employer when they were injured and those with an employment relationship — as opposed to freelance — with their company. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you estimate the value of your job injury claim and take steps to request these benefits.
Dozens of people have trusted the Williams & Roche, LLC team to help them secure compensation after a slip and fall puts them out of work. Reach out to our South Carolina team today by calling 803.784.0503 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.