The majority of workplace acts are caused by slip, trip, and falls. These accidents account for some 15 percent of all accidental deaths and come in second to only automobile accidents as a cause of accidental deaths. Even trip and falls on the jobsite that seem to be minor can have serious consequences, leading to head injury, back or neck injury, sprained muscles, and broken bones. Unfortunately, all of these injuries keep the employee from being able to perform his or her work tasks, costing the employee money and placing their job potentially at risk.
Mississippi employees who are injured in slip, trip, and fall accidents while at work may have a valid workers’ compensation claim. Under the state workers’ compensation system, employees injured in the course and scope of employment will receive benefits for their medical expenses, time off work, and more. Employees must report their injury in a timely manner and must suffer an injury that requires they miss time from work or receive medical treatment.
Slip and fall victims can receive workers’ compensation benefits to cover their medical bills, prescription drug costs, mileage reimbursements, weekly wage replacement, and payment for vocational rehabilitation. Employees that sustain partial or permanent disability as a result of the slip and fall, such that they cannot return to work, will be eligible for more benefits.
Types of Slip, Trip, and Falls
Workplace falls can generally be divided into two subgroups: same level falls and elevated falls.
Same Level Falls
More than half of all workplace falls are caused by falls from same level walking surfaces. Common causes of these falls include:
- Slippery surfaces: Spills of liquid or other slippery substances occur across American workplaces. Slippery surface falls can lead to fractures, traumatic brain injury, sprains, and more. Employers have a duty to keep the workplace free of such dangers, but accidents still result and workers’ compensation can provide financial compensation for these injured workers.
- Ice or rain: Employers are often injured while walking to or from their cars to work. Employers are required to keep the parking lots and walkways clear so that employees can safely reach the workplace. Injured workers can seek workers’ compensation for injuries sustained on the jobsite, at times even if the employee has not yet clocked in.
- Trips: Workplace trips can result from misplaced items or walking on uneven surfaces. Employers should take care to fix such surfaces and keep the workplace clear of clutter, but when accidents do result injured workers should receive workers’ compensation.
Elevated Falls
Elevated falls are falls that occur from any sort of height. These falls happen most often in the construction industry, but can also occur in forestry, mining, agriculture, and other like fields. Elevated falls hold the potential for severe and even life threatening injuries. Any employer who requires their employees work from a height must provide employees with proper safety equipment, thorough training, and supervision in order to prevent falls.
Barrett Law PLLC: Helping Mississippi Employees to Obtain Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Their Jobsite Slip, Trip, and Falls
The Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC represent injured employees across the state. Our clients include nurses, school teachers, clerical workers, construction workers, truck drivers, and many others. At Barrett Law PLLC, we recognize the difficulties that many employees face in obtaining full coverage for their work related injuries. As such, we dedicatedly strive to assist you through the complex workers’ compensation web towards a full recovery. Call the exceptional workers’ compensation attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation.