St. Louis Slip and Fall Attorneys
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On-the-Job Slip-and-Fall
Employers are legally obligated to provide reasonably safe working conditions for their employees. This includes providing them with the appropriate tools and safety gear, as well as taking the proper precautions in hazardous situations such as trench work. Another important part of creating a safe workplace is taking the necessary steps to prevent slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents.
Work-Related Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Work-related falling accidents in Missouri are handled differently from non-work related slip-and-fall accidents. Visitors to a dangerous location may seek compensation by holding the property owner liable for the injuries suffered. Employees, however, are not able to sue their employer. Instead, workers may seek support for the injuries they have suffered by applying for workers' compensation benefits. There are some cases involving a third party, however, in which a worker may turn to civil litigation for additional compensation.
Third Party Claims
Employees may not be able to sue their employer but they may hold a third party accountable for a jobsite slip-and-fall accident. For example, if a delivery company makes an area unsafe for walking by spilling liquid or leaving boxes or other materials out in a walkway, that company may be held liable for the damages suffered.
Common Causes of Workplace Slip-and-Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents can happen at even the safest of locations. Common hazardous conditions include:
- Slippery floors: Management must make sure that proper warning signs are immediately posted after a floor is cleaned.
- Cracked walkways: Property owners are required to act promptly to repair unsafe conditions. When a hazardous condition such as a cracked sidewalk or walkway cannot be fixed quickly, it is the property owner's responsibility to post warning signs or safety cones.
- Broken staircases: Some of the most devastating slip-and-fall accidents involve a dangerous staircase. Victims may suffer broken bones or even brain trauma if they fall down a flight of stairs.
- Uneven elevator: If the elevator does not come all the way up to a floor before coming to rest, workers may trip over the slight incline when exiting the elevator.
- Debris: All areas where employees work should be clear of equipment, work items and anything that can be a potential hazard.
- Uneven surfaces: Carpets that are bunched up or uneven walkways can result in falls.
Getting the Compensation You Need
Anyone injured at the workplace should be able to receive compensation for his or her injuries by filing for workers' compensation benefits. Damages such as medical bills and wages lost during the recovery process should be covered by a Missouri workers' compensation claim. Unfortunately, insurance companies and employers are notorious for denying valid claims and workers often have to struggle with unexpected financial burdens.
The skilled work injury attorneys at Page Law know how to get employees the compensation they need, following a slip-and-fall injury in Missouri. To discuss whether or not you are eligible to pursue financial compensation for the injuries you have suffered, call our law offices today for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation at (314) 322-8515.
Missouri Premises Liability
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