Missouri employers are required to provide proper training, information and equipment to their workers in order to help them reduce the risk for on-the-job injuries. If a workplace accident occurs, an injured worker may navigate the workers’ compensation program as necessary to file a claim to collect benefits that can help alleviate financial burdens during the recovery process. Slip-and-fall injuries are some of the most common types of workplace injuries.
If a floor surface is slick, a worker might take a tumble. A sudden slip and fall can result in severe injuries to ankles, arms, legs, wrists and hips. If a person falls down a flight of stairs or comes down hard on a surface after slipping, he or she may even be at risk for concussion or other brain trauma if his or her head hits a hard surface.
As with any type of workplace accident, the top priority is to seek immediate medical attention afterward. It is possible to suffer a fracture or broken bone that requires surgery. However, even if surgery is not necessary, an injury often worsens if medical treatment is not provided in a timely manner. A slip-and-fall injury can also result in chronic pain or even a disability, which, in many cases, may prevent an injured person from being able to return to work.
Workers’ compensation benefits help employees injured from slip-and-fall incidents and other Missouri workplace accidents by providing funds that can be used to help pay medical bills or replace lost wages during recovery. It often occurs that an employer or insurance gent might initially seek to deny a claim, which an injured worker may be entitled to appeal. This is one of many reasons it pays to consult with an attorney who is well-versed in this area of law before navigating the claims process.
