In the state of California, when you slip and fall on the job, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Injuries resulting from falls can be severe, leading to prolonged medical treatment and accompanying bills. The Work Injury Advocate helps people with work injuries fight for the compensation they’re owed.
What Are Slip and Fall Accidents?
Slip and fall accidents occur when someone trips or loses their balance and gets injured as a result. Falls in Tarzana and Southern California can be dangerous, leading to serious medical problems that require costly treatments. Back problems are the most common injuries in falls, but a traumatic brain injury can occur as well.
Common injuries from slip and fall accidents
- Broken bones
- Sprains and ligament tears
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries (concussion, dizziness, difficulty thinking)
- Cuts that require stitches
Common causes for falls at work
- Poor lighting
- Inadequate signage or directions for use of materials
- Icy pavement in a parking lot or wet flooring inside
- Sudden unexplained hazard on workplace property
- Uneven flooring or pavement (cracked, gummed, or warped)
Worker’s Compensation Claim vs. Personal Injury Lawsuit
When you slip and fall and sustain an injury while at work, you usually have two options for pursuing compensation. You can go through the California worker’s compensation system, or you can bring a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, California employees aren’t allowed to sue their employers for work-related injuries, and employers carry worker’s compensation insurance for this reason.
There are, however, five exceptions to this rule, which would allow an injured employee to bring a personal injury suit against an employer.
Exceptions when an injured employee may sue an employer in California
- Fraudulent concealment
- Dual capacity
- Employer assault
- Power press machine
- Employer carries no worker’s compensation insurance
What Type of Damages Can You Recover?
In California, victims of personal injury can seek compensation for three types of damages.
- Economic damages: If the court awards you economic damages, you’ll receive compensation for any medical bills or lost wages you incurred as a result of your work slip and fall.
- Non-economic damages: The court may try to compensate you for the emotional damage you suffered due to your injury. This type of compensation covers your pain and suffering.
- Exemplary damages: Exemplary damages, also known as “punitive” damages, only apply when an employer commits an egregious form of negligence or fraud. For example, if an employer erases video surveillance footage of your fall to cover it up, the court may award you exemplary damages.
Need Help with a Work Injury Case?
When you slip and fall at work, things can get complicated very quickly. You must deal with your medical bills, insurance claims, and legal issues all at once—while trying to recover from a physical injury. If you have questions about your work injury or need assistance with your case, the Work Injury Advocate can help. Call the firm today at (323) 591 -2829 to get started.