Boston Slip and Fall On the Job Lawyers
Slip and Fall On the Job
Workplace injuries are commonplace, especially in the construction industry. The most common on the job injuries are falls. Whether a person works in an office building or on a construction site, slip or trip and falls occur and can cause serious injuries and even permanent disability. A falling accident on the job in Massachusetts is not typically governed by traditional premises liability laws, although there are extenuating circumstances where a property owner may personally be held liable for a worker's injury accident. In most cases, slip and fall accidents occur in the normal course of an employee's duty, in which case any compensation may be sought through the employer's workers' compensation insurance.
Common Workplace Fall Accident Causes
Slip and fall accidents on the job occur much in the same way as they do elsewhere; however, with certain occupations, the risk of serious injury or death is much higher. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety (NIOSH), the highest incidence rate of fall-related worker fatalities occurs in the construction industry, which often requires work from elevation. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 605 workers were killed and approximately 212,760 were seriously injured as the result of falls from elevation in 2009. Common causes of falls in the construction industry include:
- Cluttered, slippery or unstable working/walking surfaces;
- Wall openings;
- Floor holes;
- Unprotected edges; and
- Poorly positioned ladders.
Other industries may have different causes for fall accidents. For example, slip, trip and fall accidents are very common in the food service industry and are usually caused by food or liquids on the floor. Cluttered and/or narrow walkways also contribute to slip and fall injury accidents.
Workers' Compensation in Massachusetts
All employers in Massachusetts are required to have workers' compensation insurance. If an employee is legitimately injured in a fall accident in the course of their duty, then they are entitled to file a workers' compensation claim for wage replacement and medical benefits. Oftentimes, however, an employer does not follow the correct procedure or the insurance company denies the claim, jeopardizing the health and financial security of the employee. Whether your accident falls under the scope of premise liability law and/or workers' compensation, the help of an experienced attorney can make the difference in your recovery.
Getting the Compensation You Deserve
After a slip/trip and fall accident, it is vital to take pictures due to the possibility that conditions may be altered. It is also important to obtain the names and contact information of witnesses. The Boston workers' compensation attorneys with the Kiley Law Group have a detailed understanding of both workers' compensation law and procedure as well as premises liability law. We will investigate the details of your work injury accident to determine the appropriate course of legal action for obtaining the maximum compensation for your recovery, whether it is helping you through the workers' compensation claims process, resolving a disputed workers' compensation claim, or holding a negligent property owner liable. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact us today for a free legal consultation at (888) 208-1695.
