Falls can happen anywhere, including the workplace. If you were injured in a preventable fall at work, a Manhattan work injury lawyer can help you file a claim.
Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered more than $100 million for our clients. If you fell and were injured while performing your job, a Manhattan slip and fall accidents at work lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you are entitled to.
Why Hire a Manhattan Slip and Fall Accidents at Work Attorney?
Workplace injury claims often receive pushback from insurers. If this happens to you, a Manhattan personal injury lawyer from our team can:
- Investigate the accident: A lawyer can examine how and where the fall occurred and determine what caused it.
- Gather evidence: An attorney can help preserve photographs, surveillance footage, accident reports, witness statements, medical records, and other evidence that supports your claim.
- Evaluate your losses: An attorney can assess your medical expenses, lost income, disability, and other damages to determine the value of your claim.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: A lawyer can communicate with insurance companies and attempt to secure fair compensation for you.
- Assist with litigation: If settlement talks fail, an attorney can help you take your case to court.
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What Types of Compensation Are Available?
After a workplace slip and fall accident, you may be able to sue outside of workers’ comp if a third-party caused or contributed to your accident. In a personal injury lawsuit, you can pursue compensation for:
- Medical bills: You can seek compensation for emergency treatment, hospital bills, physician visits, prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and anticipated future medical care.
- Lost income: You may recover compensation for wages you lost while recovering from your injuries and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work in the future.
- Pain and suffering: You can seek compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You can pursue additional compensation if your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, activities, relationships, or other aspects of life you previously enjoyed.
- Punitive damages: You may be awarded punitive damages if the defendant’s conduct was particularly reckless, malicious, or egregious.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
If a third party is liable for your slip and fall, NY CPLR § 214 generally gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline will likely result in you forfeiting the right to recover damages.
Exceptions can apply in certain cases, such as if your claim involves government agencies or wrongful death. A slip and fall accidents at work lawyer in Manhattan can help make sure you file your claim on time.
Who Is Liable for a Workplace Slip and Fall?
If a third party’s negligence contributed to your fall, you may be able to hold them liable through a personal injury claim. Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Property owners: A property owner may be liable if a dangerous condition existed on the premises and the owner failed to reasonably address it.
- Property managers: A management company may be held responsible for failing to inspect or maintain common areas, hallways, entrances, or other parts of a building.
- Maintenance companies: A contractor responsible for cleaning, repairs, snow removal, or other maintenance may be liable if negligent work creates a dangerous condition.
- General contractors or subcontractors: Construction companies may potentially be responsible when unsafe conditions at a construction or renovation site cause an employee to fall.
- Manufacturers: If defective equipment, flooring materials, ladders, or other products contributed to a fall, a manufacturer or another party in the chain of distribution could potentially be responsible.
While you generally cannot sue your employer for a work injury in New York, you may have grounds to sue if they don’t carry workers’ compensation insurance or intentionally caused you harm.
Common Causes of Workplace Slip and Fall Accidents
Workplaces can contain many hazards that create a risk of slipping or falling. Common causes of these accidents include:
- Wet or slippery floors: Spilled liquids, leaking equipment, recently mopped floors, and other sources of moisture can make walking surfaces dangerous.
- Uneven flooring: Cracked pavement, damaged tiles, raised flooring, and uneven transitions can cause an employee to trip or lose balance.
- Loose mats and rugs: Mats that slide, curl, or fail to lie flat can create a significant tripping hazard.
- Debris and clutter: Boxes, tools, cords, merchandise, and other objects left in walkways can cause workers to fall.
- Poor lighting: Employees may be unable to see hazards when stairways, hallways, parking areas, or workspaces are inadequately lit.
- Defective stairs: Broken steps, damaged handrails, or improperly maintained stairways can contribute to serious falls.
- Lack of warning signs: A hazardous condition may become more dangerous when workers are not warned about it.
Common Injuries in Workplace Slip and Fall Accidents
Workplace accidents can cause severe injuries, particularly when you fall from a height or strike a hard surface. Common injuries include:
- Broken wrists, arms, legs, ankles, or hips
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Back and spinal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Torn ligaments
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Nerve damage
What to Do After a Workplace Accident in Manhattan
The actions you take after a trip and fall at work may affect both your health and your ability to obtain fair compensation. It’s important to:
- Report the accident: Notify your supervisor or employer as soon as possible.
- Document the scene: Take photographs of the hazardous condition and surrounding area (if possible).
- Identify witnesses: Write down the names and contact information of people who saw the accident or the dangerous condition that caused it.
- Seek medical attention: Get evaluated by a doctor, even if your injury doesn’t seem serious.
- Keep records: Save medical bills, treatment records, work restrictions, correspondence, and other documents relevant to your workplace injury claim.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions: Attend all follow-up appointments and follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
- Avoid unnecessary statements: Do not speculate about fault or minimize your injuries when speaking about the accident with insurance companies.
- Get legal help: Consult a slip and fall accidents at work attorney in Manhattan to learn more about your legal options.
Talk to a Slip and Fall Accidents At Work Lawyer in Manhattan
A fall at work can leave you dealing with severe injuries, prohibitive medical bills, and uncertainty about your future.
If you were injured at work in NYC, you may qualify for more than just workers’ comp. A Manhattan slip and fall accidents at work attorney from Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers can gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and help you pursue fair compensation.
Book a free consultation with our firm today and start building your claim.