Slip, trips and falls in the workplace caused by negligence

A workplace injury caused by a slip and fall accident can change your entire life. Not only are you likely to face high medical costs, a slip and fall injury can result in time off work, or even the inability to perform your job.

Slip and fall accidents in the workplace are more common than many people think. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that slip and fall accidents not only cause many workplace accidents, but up to 700 deaths each year.

Your employer must train you on how to work safely

The situation is especially challenging when your employer’s negligence is to blame for your injury. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not formally require employers to provide formal training on slips, trips and falls in the workplace; however, employers must educate workers on how to avoid unsafe working conditions, which increase the likelihood of a slip and fall accident.

Three main factors contribute to slips, trips and falls in the workplace:

• Friction
• Gravity
• Momentum

Resistance between different objects causes friction, while gravity involves the Earth’s exertion on an object. An object’s mass and speed effect its momentum.

When there is not enough friction between your feet, you may slip. Wet surfaces or spills inside the workplace increase the chance of slipping, while ice or snow could cause slips outside. A trip with enough momentum can cause a serious injury, with clutter or objects strewn about a workplace increasing the chance of a trip.

Falls in the workplace cause more deaths than slips or trips. A poorly maintained workplace environment or malfunctioning equipment can result in a fall. Employers have a responsibility to ensure a safe working environment, and that includes taking all necessary precautions to decrease the chances of slips, trips and falls.

Help is available

The physical and mental effects of a catastrophic workplace injury caused by a slip, trip or fall can be overwhelming and devastating, but compensation may be available. Speaking with a legal professional with experience in personal injury law is a good first step to take as you recover.