According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, falling from floors, platforms, rooftops, scaffolds, ladders, steps, and ramps is the second leading cause of workplace accidents and fatalities in Oregon in 2020. In general, in case of a workplace slip and fall accident in Oregon, no matter who is at fault for negligence, you may be entitled to a workers’ compensation including compensation for medical costs, lost wages during your recovery, temporary or permanent disability payments, and job retraining in case you are unequipped to return to your old job.
These injuries are common in the workplace and can affect workers in a wide range of industries and professions. Consequently, they can result in lifelong limitations that make it difficult to keep a job and provide for a family in the future.
Common Causes of Workplace Slip and Fall Accidents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list the following as leading causes of workplace falls:
· Cluttered and uneven pathways and passageways
· Lack of adequate equipment for accessing goods or conducting repairs at heights, such as old or broken ladders and step stools
· Wet, slick, and slippery floor surfaces
· Damaged flooring and holes in carpet, tiles, or other materials
· There is a shortage of safety features such as scaffolding, lights, and railings, and there are also unprotected edges.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 800 persons per year lose their lives as a direct result of injuries sustained in workplace accidents involving falls. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration, falls are among the most common, and possibly lethal, forms of workplace accidents. Further, back injuries, brain injuries, muscular injuries, and fractured bones are among the “fatal four” workplace injuries that account for over 40% of all work-related fatalities in the United States each year.
Will You Be Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Even if You Might Be Partially at Fault?
An employer’s negligence in providing safe working conditions might lead to a slip and fall accident. Your negligence can also contribute to slip and fall injuries, however, your workers’ compensation claim is not affected by who was at fault for the injury.
When employees are hurt on the job or while doing job-related tasks, they are covered by workers’ compensation, an insurance program administered by individual states and regulated by federal law. Your employer or you too may be somewhat responsible for your injury, but the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division says you should still be eligible for workers’ compensation. Such workers’ compensation shall cover your medical expenses in relation to your injuries sustained from the slip and fall accident, lost wages, and temporary or permanent disability payments. Additionally, in case your slip and fall accident leads to an impairment that may not allow you to return to your existing job, then workers’ compensation shall also cover your job retraining costs.
Your application for benefits may be rejected if you can’t provide proof of a work-related injury or medical treatment for your injury. In such situations, you have the option to submit an appeal. Workers’ compensation typically does not consider who was at fault in an accident, but your claim might be refused if it is shown that you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident or that you began a fight with another worker that led to your injury.
Injuries sustained from a slip and fall at work can range from minor to catastrophic, and the effects may last a lifetime. Our experienced Oregon workers’ compensation attorneys at Aldrich Law have over 12 years of expertise in workers’ compensation matters. We can help you by filing your workers’ compensation claim resulting from a slip and fall accident. Our experienced Oregon workers’ compensation attorneys can be contacted here.