Workplace Fall Claims
Contact a Vermont Workers' Compensation Attorney Now
It's a common situation: You fell at work and now your employer/supervisor is trying to lay the blame -- on you! Workers’ compensation in Vermont is “no fault,” meaning that the employee is covered for injuries sustained at the workplace even if the employee was not being careful. In most cases, you are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits, even if your employer tries to tell you otherwise. Call me at the Law Office of Charles L. Powell PLLC today to start exploring your slip and fall claim options.
The legal counsel you need is just a phone call away. Call me at (802) 731-0154 today!
Causes of Workplace Falls
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of workplace deaths in the United States, with one out of every four workplace injuries resulting from a slip and fall accident. Likewise, fall protection violations were the most frequently cited standards by Federal OSHA in fiscal year 2018.
Falls can occur in the workplace for a variety of reasons, including:
- Poor lighting
- Raised or snagged carpeting
- Wet or slippery floors
- Damaged or uneven flooring
- Cluttered walkways
- Housekeeping issues
- Obstructed views
- Uncovered cables, cords, and wires
- Falls from ladders
- Abrupt elevator stops
- Scaffolding failure
What If a Third Party is Responsible?
In most cases, if you are injured in a fall at work, you will be able to claim benefits for your lost wages and medical expenses under your employer’s workers’ compensation coverage in exchange for waiving your right to sue your employer. If you are injured on the job in a fall due to the negligence of a third party, however, you may be able to collect workers’ compensation benefits and pursue additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. This is commonly referred to as a “third-party case.”
Generally speaking, you may only sue your own employer for an on-the-job slip and fall accident if your employer intended to harm you or if the employer failed to have workers’ compensation insurance. An attorney can help you identify the responsible parties and guide you towards the most appropriate course of action.
Don’t Play the Blame Game
Some employers are tempted to assert that a slip and fall injury was the employee’s own fault, so the resulting loss of wages and the receipt of medical bills are allegedly not the employer’s responsibility. This is not so. Workers’ compensation covers workplace injuries, regardless of fault.
At the Law Office of Charles L. Powell PLLC, I am ready to help you handle your workers’ compensation fall case. With 36 years of experience, my objective is to help you receive full compensation.
Want to learn more about your fall claim options? Use the online form to request a free case evaluation today.