Workmans Comp Attorneys Discuss Slip & Fall Injury Cases
Attorneys Discuss
Workmans* Comp for Slip and Fall Injury-
One of the most common types of workplace accidents is a “slip and fall” or “trip and fall.” Our experienced Long Beach lawyers have assisted hundreds of employees obtain the workers compensation they deserve for injuries sustained when they slipped, tripped or fell at the workplace, or while performing their work duties. In this article we answer questions that are commonly asked by our clients.
How Much Workman’s* Comp will I get for a Slip and Fall?
The amount of compensation you will receive for injuries sustained in a workplace slip and fall (or trip and fall) will depend upon the severity of your injuries as well as how long you will be unable to work.
However, recent statistics released by legal marketing firm Martindale-Nolo indicate that the average compensation for injury in a slip and fall is between $17,200 and $27,500. Less than half of the workers in their study received $10,000 or less – while more than half of workers received a workman’s comp settlement greater than $10,000.
Studies show that injured employees who hire an attorney typically receive a higher settlement than injured workers who do not hire an attorney for their workman’s comp case.
Several factors affect how long a workman’s comp case takes. Whether the insurance company initially denies your claim, and whether you need to request a hearing or file an appeal will all affect how long your workman’s comp case will take.
That same Martindale-Nolo study indicated that the average duration of a slip and fall workman’s comp case is approximately 15 months.
Statistics support the fact that an injured employee who hires an attorney will typically receive a faster settlement than injured workers who do not hire an attorney for their workmans comp case.
Common Cause of Workman’s* Comp Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall accidents are often the result of slipping on a wet surface (such as a recently washed floor or a spill), or tripping on an uneven surface (such as a muddy construction site). Slip and falls are often the result of tripping on a hazard – such as an errant extension cord or protruding chair leg.
Workplace slip and fall accidents can result in back, neck, arm, leg, hand, foot, wrist, angle & head injuries.
To collect workman’s comp for injuries sustained in a slip or fall, it does not matter whose fault it was. It could have been clumsiness, or even carelessness on your part – or on the part of another employee. It could even have been caused by the action of a visitor, or other third party. And, as long as you were performing your work duties, it could even have occurred at a location away from your place of work.
In other words, because workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, workers can recover for their injuries as long as they happen in the course of their employment.
Denials of Workmans’ Comp Claims for Slip and Falls
The Martindale study also stated that 38% of the workers injured in a fall at work who received a settlement, actually had their claims initially denials. And, after receiving their denial, 45% of workers with slip and fall claims have to file an appeal or request a workers’ compensation hearing before they received a settlement.
The most common reason insurance companies deny workers comp for slip and falls is by claiming the injury was actually a preexisting medical condition. Insurance companies may also deny a claim by trying to blame the injury on age – especially when in older workers.
Because insurance companies often try to deny workers comp claims, it is always wise to have an experienced workmans comp attorney by your side. Additionally, because the appeals process can be quite complex – requiring certain forms, hearings, and adherence to procedural rules – it is a good idea to consider hiring w workers comp lawyer.
Our experienced Long Beach lawyers have assisted hundreds of employees in Orange County and the Los Angeles area obtain the workers compensation they deserve after being injured by a slip, trip or fall at work. If you are suffering from a work related injury, and you would like to understand your options, call our workman’s comp lawyers for a free consultation.
Best Long Beach Workmans* Comp Attorneys
Our experienced Long Beach lawyers have assisted hundreds of employees in Orange County and the Los Angeles area obtain the workmans comp they deserve after being injured when struck by (or against) an object. If you are suffering from a work related injury, and you would like to understand your options, call our workmans compensation lawyers for a free consultation.
Call Our Long Beach Workmans Comp Attorneys: 562-622-4800
* Note: The correct terminology for an injured worker case is “workers’ compensation.” However, many people still use the term “workmans comp”. For this reason our article uses all of these terms interchangeably, from time to time, in order to help injured employees find our helpful articles on the Internet.
