What Happens if You Slip and Fall at Work in Maryland?
Slip and fall accidents occur when someone slips, trips, falls, or is otherwise injured on someone else’s property. In situations in which the property owner is found to be at fault after not taking proper precautions to keep the property safe, then the injured party may receive compensation for his or her injuries. Slip and fall injuries are not confined to public property like markets, hotels, parking lots, restaurants, etc. They can also happen at your workplace, while you are on the job. So, what happens if you slip and fall while at your job in Maryland?
Slip and Fall Injuries at the Maryland Workplace
Slip and fall accidents are actually one of the most common types of workplace injuries in the state. In many cases, the plaintiff suffers only soft tissue injuries, like minor bruises, abrasions, sprained or strained muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, a number of other employees suffer more serious injuries like fractures, deep cuts, herniated disks, head trauma, and more.
If you sustained a slip and fall injury at work, you need to speak with a knowledgeable Maryland personal injury lawyers who can help. When an injury like this occurs in the workplace, OSHA will likely become involved. OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which governs safety measures that need to be present at the workplace. If an employer violates these rules, they could wind up being slapped with fines, and even incarceration in extreme cases.
Construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail workers are among those who suffer the most slip and fall accidents at work, but anyone is actually at risk.
Examples of Workplace Slip and Fall Hazards
There are hazards that present a bigger risk for slip and fall injuries in the workplace. Some of these include:
- Certain equipment like scaffolding, ladders, lifts, and any other things that are not properly fastened or secured correctly;
- Slippery walkways;
- Cluttered work areas;
- Lack of protective equipment provided, such as a harness;
- Stairs and raised walkways that do not have handrails;
- Poor lighting;
- Loose or broken railings;
- Lack of warning signs; and
- Holes in the floors or carpet that has come loose.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Slip and Fall Accidents
An employee who was injured during the course and scope of his or her job is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. This also means that the employee does not need to show any negligence on the part of the employer. However, you cannot get benefits unless you alert your employer by first filing a report of injury. Failure to do so could compromise your claim.
Contact a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney
In most cases, workers’ compensation benefits will apply, but there may be special scenarios when it is also possible to file a personal injury claim. In situations in which a manufacturer, third-party supplier, or maybe even the property owner had knowledge of the danger, directly caused it, or should have known about the danger, they can also be held liable. Before you are forced into a settlement at work, contact the Law Office of Robert R. Castro today at 301-870-1200 to schedule an initial consultation.
