Columbus Workplace Slip and Fall Accident Attorney for Work Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common causes of work-related injuries. They can occur in almost any setting such as offices, retail establishments, or industrial settings. While many of these accidents result in only minimal injuries, many leave workers unable to work due to broken bones, concussions, torn ligaments and tendons, and spinal injuries. Not only do injured workers face significant medical bills, but they also are unable to work. For most workers, this is a crisis situation. If you’ve been injured on the job in a slip and fall accident, a Columbus workplace slip and fall attorney can help you get back on your feet.
Understand Your Options When You Can’t Work After a Fall
If you have been injured on the job you essentially have two options:
- You can pursue a workers compensation claim; or
- You can pursue a personal injury claim.
The differences between these two options are significant. Perhaps more importantly, pursuing one of these options typically means that you cannot pursue the other. A Columbus workers compensation attorney can help you understand your best option if you have been injured in a slip and fall accident at work.
Workers’ Compensation Options After a Trip and Fall
In most situations, your best option is to pursue a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ comp is a no-fault system of benefits, meaning that you don’t have to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your accident. This is particularly helpful in slip and fall cases where it can be very difficult to prove what happened and who should be held responsible. All you need to prove is that the accident happened while you were on the job. Once your claim is approved, you can begin receiving compensation to pay your medical bills and two-thirds of your lost income. The claim process can be somewhat confusing, but you can always contact a Columbus workers compensation attorney if you run into problems.
Should You Consider Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim?
Personal injury claims allow you to pursue compensation for things that you may not have fully been able to recover via a workers compensation claim. For example, you can recover compensation for all of your lost wages and your pain and suffering, whereas you are limited only to medical benefits and two-thirds of your lost income with workers compensation.
While the choice may be obvious, it is important to keep in mind that you must prove fault in a personal injury claim. This can be far more difficult than many people expect. In addition, your case could take several months to get resolved, sometimes over a year.
In many cases you can file a personal injury and a workers comp claim for the same work injury. These are common for accidents such as car accidents and dog bites. You don’t forfeit your right to one cause of action over another. Filing both claims merely affects the benefits you may/may not receive, and who you may/may not be required to subrogate. For instance if the BWC covers medical bills related to an allowed car accident work injury claim, and your PI car accident claim is settled, the PI claim will have to subrogate the BWC’s recovery of expenses already paid.
Slip and falls and whether you pursue via workers comp versus personal injury are fairly nuanced in their own rules. Thus, in order to make sure you don’t miss out on an opportunity for compensation, talk to a workman’s comp lawyer who is experienced in workplace falls.
Injured in a Workplace Slip and Fall Accident? Talk to a Columbus Workplace Slip and Fall Attorney Today
Suffering a work-related injury can be overwhelming. We can help you get the compensation you need so that you can focus on getting better and back to work. To discuss your case, call us at 614-444-7440 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.