Believe it or not, slip-and-fall accidents send around one million people to emergency rooms each year in the US. More shocking, the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) found on-the-job slip and falls to be the primary reason that people have to miss work. Additionally, slips and fall accidents cause eleven percent of job-related fatalities faced by men and five percent of workplace deaths for women.
If you were hurt in a workplace slip and fall accident, you know just how painful it can be both physically and financially. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which can help, but getting those benefits isn’t always easy. If your employer or an insurance company is disputing your workers’ comp claim after a slip and fall accident, contact a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Our team at Joye Law Firm is ready to help you fight for full benefits after a worksite accident. Joye Law Firm was founded in 1968 with a mission to help hardworking people throughout South Carolina receive just compensation after serious accidents.
Although every case is unique and compensation awards depend on the details of your specific case, Joye Law Firm has a track record of helping clients recover significant workers’ comp settlements. As testimonials from our past clients demonstrate, our attorneys are dedicated to helping injured workers achieve the best possible results for their cases and providing responsive service to clients. Our attorneys are seasoned professionals who are respected by their peers. Members of our workers’ compensation team have served as President and Executive Committee Members for Injured Workers’ Advocates, the statewide legal organization for claimants’ workers compensation lawyers. Several have been selected for recognition in multiple editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and South Carolina Super Lawyers.
If you were hurt at work in a slip-and-fall accident, contact Joye Law Firm right away. We’ll help you receive all the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. We’re available to meet with you by phone, video call, or at one of our conveniently located offices in South Carolina, including North Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Summerville, and Clinton.
To schedule your free consultation, contact Joye Law Firm today at (888) 324-3100 or online.
Study: Fall from Oily Ladder Tears Worker’s Meniscus and MCL
Attorney Matt Jackson, Head of Joye Law Firm’s Workers’ Compensation Department, represented a Berkeley County man who suffered severe injuries after slipping off an oily ladder at a metal supply company. The worker tore his lateral meniscus and MCL in the fall and, despite surgery and physical therapy, experienced long-term pain and disability. Unable to return to work, he turned to Joye Law Firm for help.
Attorney Jackson knew this was a challenging case, but was committed to securing the compensation his client deserved. He filed a claim with the employer’s insurance company, carefully building a strong case. Realizing that the worker’s age and injuries made returning to the workforce unlikely, Jackson knew he had to come through for his client, ultimately obtaining $300,000.
South Carolina Slip and Fall Accidents on the Job
Some of the most common types of on-the-job slip and fall accidents include:
- Parking lot accidents: Slips and falls often occur in parking lots due to uneven pavement, potholes, or slick conditions from rain, oil, or ice.
- Slipping on wet, icy, or other slick surfaces: Wet floors, icy walkways, or spills in the workplace can cause employees to lose their footing, especially in areas like kitchens, restrooms, or outdoor paths.
- Falling on the same level: These accidents happen when a person trips or slips and lands on the same surface they were walking on. This could be caused by obstructions or loose mats, unsecured rugs, or slick flooring.
- Escalator and elevator accidents: Malfunctions or sudden stops can cause workers to lose their balance, leading to falls or injuries while entering or exiting escalators or elevators.
- Falling off of a platform, chair, scaffolding, ladder, roof, or other elevated areas: Workers in construction, maintenance, or warehouse jobs are often at risk of falling from heights such as platforms, ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or chairs when proper safety precautions aren’t in place.
- Tripping on a damaged surface: Cracked or uneven flooring, holes in walkways, or damaged steps can cause workers to trip and fall, potentially leading to serious injuries.
- Sidewalk accidents: Poorly maintained sidewalks, especially those with cracks, uneven sections, or hidden obstacles, can create a tripping hazard for workers entering or leaving their place of work.
- Falling over merchandise or obstacles in a walkway: In retail or warehouse environments, items placed in walkways or poorly stacked merchandise can create dangerous tripping hazards for employees.
- Construction site accidents: Construction sites are often filled with hazardous conditions such as loose materials, uneven surfaces, or tools left in walkways, increasing the likelihood of slip and fall incidents.
Under South Carolina’s workers’ comp laws, most employers with four or more employees are required to maintain workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees in the event of a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation benefits cover:
Medical Care
Benefits typically pay for any medical treatment you need to recover from a work-related injury, including prescriptions, surgery, prosthetic devices, medical supplies, and hospitalization. This includes reimbursement for travel to the doctor or a pharmacy if these facilities are more than ten miles from your home.
Income Replacement
If you must miss at least seven days of work because of your injury, then you can receive weekly checks reimbursing 66 2/3 percent of your average weekly wage while you are recovering from the accident. The payments should continue until your doctor says you can go back to work.
Disability or Disfigurement
If the accident leaves you with a significant scar or disability, then you may be entitled to additional compensation.
Under South Carolina workers’ compensation law, employers are generally shielded from being sued by their employees over workplace injuries. However, in cases where another party, such as an equipment manufacturer or a third-party contracting group, was responsible for the workplace accident, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for damages. A knowledgeable workplace injury lawyer at Joye Law Firm can evaluate your worksite accident, discuss your legal options, and help you with all the details of your claim.
