Workplace accidents happen all the time. Whether you work at a construction site, where a high percentage of workplace falls occur, or in an office, any type of fall can be severe enough that you may miss work and a steady income. In many workplace fall injuries, third parties or even your employer may be held liable to pay you compensation.
Sadly, a large percentage of workplace falls could be prevented if employers simply followed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fall safety guidelines. And yet, employers regularly fail in this legal duty. The first step to compensation when workers suffer a fall is to file a workers’ compensation claim through their employer’s insurance carrier to pay for medical treatment and other covered costs. Often, though, workers’ comp does not pay the full reimbursement value suffered by the employee.
Dangers of Workplace Falls
Any worker can suddenly be injured from a fall in the workplace. OSHA research reveals that seeking the help of a slip-and-fall accident lawyer can be crucial in such situations to ensure that your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.
Depending on the severity of your workplace fall, you may be entitled to compensation. Some general statistics on falls in the workplace may be helpful:
- Two-thirds of fall-related injuries happen on same-level surfaces.
- The remaining one-third – elevated falls (from a height of 10 feet or more) – are the most serious and cause more severe injuries.
- Between 20 and 30 percent of fall accident victims suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head injuries.
- The most common fractures caused by falls are those of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand.
- Fall accidents are the most frequent cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Common Causes of Workplace Falls
There are many causes of falls in the workplace; however, there are some common types we see when new clients contact us. Some of the common causes of these mishaps are:
- Oil, grease or soapy spills on floors
- Water, melting snow or ice
- Inadequate lighting that hides dangerous floor conditions
- Uneven steps, changes in floor texture or height, and broken handrails
- Cement or some other type of powdery substance on floors
- Obstacles carelessly left about
- Falls from ladders, scaffolds or other elevated areas.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim After a Workplace Fall
All Georgia companies with three or more employees must offer workers’ compensation insurance. Although employees have 30 days to file a “notice of injury” with their employer, filing immediately avoids delays in the process and reimbursement. Even so, sometimes your claim may be denied. Workers’ comp is essentially “no-fault insurance.” The purpose is to treat your injuries so you can return to work as soon as possible. Therefore, coverage for an employee who misses a minimum of seven working days due to injury is limited to only the following:
- 100 percent of medical bills
- On-going disability benefits, though there could be coverage limits or gaps
- Two-thirds of your average weekly wages; maximum payment amounts are limited – or “capped” – by the state.
In some instances, the amount you get from workers’ compensation insurance is not enough to pay your bills and put food on the table for your family. In some types of workplace injuries, you may be entitled to more compensation.
Third-Party Liability Claims For Workplace Falls
Often, your workers’ comp claim can be augmented by civil claims against third parties that also might have contributed to your injury accident. For example:
- If you are injured by a defective product at work, you can file a product liability claim against the designer, manufacturer, and/or the distributor of the product.
- If the behavior or actions of a lawful visitor to your employer’s company created conditions that caused your injury, you may file an insurance claim or lawsuit against that person or company.
- Even though fellow employees’ actions don’t generally allow you to sue your employer, if a fellow worker’s malicious acts caused your on-the-job injuries, you could file a personal injury lawsuit against that employee. You might even sue your employer, but only if you can prove their willful negligence caused the accident, and that standard of proof is extremely high.
How a Macon Workplace Lawyer Can Help With Your Workplace Fall Claim
While you may think you don’t need a lawyer to file a claim for your workplace fall, you should understand that you only get one shot at making a claim. Even if you successfully get benefits from workers’ compensation insurance, filing a personal injury claim against a third party can be a complex procedure. A knowledgeable and competent lawyer can:
- Look over the evidence from your fall and let you know whether you have a valid claim against a third party
- Understand the many parties that may be liable for your claim
- Analyze any pictures and videos from the scene of the fall to form a basis for liability
- Negotiate with the insurance companies to come to a fair settlement for your injuries
- File a claim in court if a fair settlement can’t be reached.
Why Choose Us?
Choosing the right Macon workplace fall lawyer is important. The Mann Law Firm has been fighting for the rights of our clients for over 30 years. Other reasons to choose our firm are:
- David Mann once worked as in-house defense counsel at a large insurance company, so he knows the tactics they use to pay out claims for less than they are worth.
- Our clients give us glowing testimonials.
- We have secured high jury verdicts and settlements, many in the 7 digits.
Contact the Mann Law Firm Today For a Free Consultation
Contact the Macon and Middle Georgia Mann Law Firm’s Workers’ Comp attorneys today if you’ve suffered an on-the-job injury from a fall. Give us a call at (478) 742-3381 to set up a free consultation. We get paid only if you collect compensation for your injuries. Remember, at the Mann Law Firm, you come first!

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