Injured in a Fall? Get the Help You Need from an Experienced Columbus Workplace Accident Lawyer

Falls are among the most common causes of injuries on the job. From back injuries to broken bones, falls can have a variety of painful—and costly—consequences, and this makes it critical to speak with a Columbus workers’ compensation attorney about your legal rights. If you fell on the job, you may be entitled to financial compensation, and hiring an attorney is the first step toward seeking the compensation you deserve.

At Malek & Malek Law Firm, our attorneys represent injured workers across Ohio. We have extensive experience helping workers recover just compensation for all types of fall-related injuries. Whether you have a workers’ compensation claim, a premises liability claim, or any other type of claim for just compensation, we can help make sure you do not leave any money on the table.

Workers Who Are Most at Risk for Suffering Injuries in Falls

All types of workers are at risk of suffering fall-related injuries on the job. Even in relatively low-impact occupations, slips and trips on sidewalks, in stairwells and on the way to the bathroom can cause injuries resulting in medical bills and missed time from work.

But, workers in some occupations are undoubtedly at greater risk than others. For example, the following types of workers are among those who are most at risk for suffering injuries in falls:

• Construction workers
• Gutter cleaners
• Emergency personnel and first responders
• Landscapers
• Maintenance workers
• Painters
• Roof contractors
• Utility workers
• Transportation workers
• Tree trimmers

While these types of workers are among those who are most at risk, all types of workers are eligible to seek financial compensation when they suffer fall-related injuries on the job. If you’ve been injured on the job, your legal rights depend on your individual circumstances, and this makes it critical to speak with an experienced Columbus workplace accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Steps Companies Should (But Often Don’t) Take to Prevent Falls on the Job

Due to both the prevalence of workplace falls and the risks associated with falling on the job, companies in Ohio are supposed to take various steps to prevent these on-the-job accidents. Unfortunately, many companies fall far short of doing what is required. Safety violations on construction sites and in other workplaces are alarmingly common — reflecting the fact that companies prioritize their profits over workers’ safety far too often.

If you have a workers’ compensation claim, you do not need to be able to prove a safety violation in order to file for benefits. This is because workers’ compensation is a “no-fault” system in Ohio. Workers’ compensation benefits are available to eligible employees regardless of why they fell (with only very limited exceptions), and this means that you should contact a Columbus workers’ compensation attorney regardless of why you fell.

Even so, understanding (and being able to prove) why you fell can still be important. While filing a workers’ compensation claim is one option, it isn’t necessarily the only option available to workers who have suffered fall-related injuries on the job. For example, you may have a claim outside of workers’ compensation if:

• You are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits (i.e., because you are an independent contractor instead of an employee); or,
• Your fall was the result of negligence on the part of a company other than your employer.

In each of these scenarios, seeking just compensation for your fall-related injuries will involve filing a personal injury claim instead of (or, potentially, in addition to) filing a workers’ compensation claim. Some examples of potential grounds to file a personal injury claim for workplace injuries caused by a fall include:

• Failure to Follow Safety Protocols – Failure to follow safety protocols is a common cause of falls at work. This includes everything from failing to thoroughly inspect scaffolding to failing to keep extension cords and other hazards away from the bottoms of ladders.
• Ignoring Known Safety Risks – In many cases, companies simply ignore known safety risks. This is not acceptable under any circumstances, and it can provide clear grounds for injured workers to seek just compensation.
• Improper Ladder Positioning – Both A-frame ladders and extension ladders must be properly positioned in order to minimize the risk of falls. When a ladder is not properly positioned, this can put workers in precarious positions that present high risks for serious fall-related injuries.
• Inadequate Fall Protection – Guardrails, nets, coverings, and other forms of fall protection exist for a reason. When companies fail to provide adequate fall protection—and when workers suffer serious injuries as a result—these companies can often be held fully accountable.
• Inadequate Safety Equipment – Individuals who work at heights should also have access to adequate safety equipment at all times. Failure to provide harnesses, tethers and other necessary forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) is an all-too-common issue that can lead to life-altering (if not life-threatening) injuries.
• Inadequate Safety Training – Safety training is essential for preventing fall-related injuries on many types of job sites. When companies fail to provide adequate safety training, this can provide grounds for injured workers to seek just compensation as well.
• Unsafe Bucket Trucks – Utility workers, tree trimmers, and others who work on bucket trucks expect these trucks to be safe for use. Unfortunately, they often are not. Falls from raised buckets can cause serious injuries, and they may entitle injured workers to significant financial compensation.
• Unsafe Ladders and Scaffolding – Unsafe ladders and scaffolding can present similar risks. Here, too, while there are clear standards for ensuring workers’ safety, companies overlook (or ignore) these standards far too often.
• Unsafe Walking Surfaces – While falls from heights present serious risks for many workers, these are not the only falls that can result in time missed from work. From slippery tiles to cracked sidewalks, unsafe walking surfaces can cause fall-related injuries as well.
• Working in Unsafe Conditions – From extreme heat and cold to dealing with fatigue caused by long hours on the job, working in unsafe conditions can significantly increase the risk of suffering injuries in a fall. Overcrowded job sites, working with untrained and unskilled coworkers, and various other unsafe conditions can create an increased risk of fall-related injuries as well.

These are just some of the most common examples of safety failures in the workplace. If you suffered injuries in a fall at work under any circumstances, we strongly recommend consulting with an experienced Columbus workplace accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Malek & Malek Law Firm, we handle workers’ compensation claims and personal injury claims, and we can work to recover just compensation on your behalf, regardless of why you were injured.

Understanding Your Legal Rights as an Injured Worker in Ohio

As an injured worker in Ohio, understanding your legal rights is important. So, what do you need to know after a fall on the job? Here are five important facts about your legal rights:

1. You Have the Right to Choose Your Medical Provider

Whether you have a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury claim (or both), you have the right to choose your medical provider. If you have a workers’ compensation claim, you must choose a provider that has been approved by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) after your first visit, but you do not have to choose from a list that has been pre-approved by your employer.

2. You Have the Right to Find Out Why Your Fall Happened

To determine whether you have a personal injury claim, you have the right to find out why your fall happened. You can—and should—hire a Columbus workplace accident lawyer to conduct an investigation, which will include examining the relevant company’s safety record and safety practices.

3. You Have the Right to Take Legal Action Without Fear of Retaliation

Ohio law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who choose to assert their legal rights. You have the right to take legal action without fear of retaliation, and if your employer retaliates against you illegally, this can entitle you to additional financial compensation.

4. You Have the Right to Seek the Maximum Compensation Available to You

Due to the substantial costs often associated with fall-related injuries, it is critical that you seek the maximum compensation that is available to you. You have the absolute right to do so, and you should not let your employer (or any other company) take advantage of you.

5. You Have the Right to Legal Representation

To make sure no companies take advantage of you, you have the right to legal representation. You can hire an experienced Columbus workplace accident lawyer to seek just compensation on your behalf, and you can work with your lawyer to assert your rights through all necessary legal means.

Discuss Your Legal Rights with a Workers’ Compensation Attorney for Free

Were you injured in a fall on the job in Ohio? If so, we encourage you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. To speak with an experienced Columbus workers’ compensation attorney in confidence as soon as possible, call 888-444-7440 or tell us how we can help online today.