Raleigh Slip and Fall Lawyer
Slip-and-fall accidents are common in all types of workplaces, from restaurants and construction sites to office buildings and daycare centers. These incidents can happen for various reasons but can all lead to serious injuries, resulting in time off work and expensive medical bills.
Many employees who suffer occupational slip-and-fall injuries in North Carolina qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. However, securing these benefits is often easier said than done. The Raleigh slip and fall lawyers at Hardison & Cochran understand the complexities of workers’ compensation claims and work tirelessly to secure full benefits for our clients.
If you got hurt in a slip and fall at work, contact Hardison & Cochran for a free case evaluation today.
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Slip and Falls vs. Workers’ Comp: When Can You Receive Benefits?
North Carolina workers’ compensation benefits cover injuries from slips, trips, and falls that happen on the job. However, not every slip-and-fall accident is covered. You must show you were injured while performing a work-related duty.
Let’s say you’re walking to a work meeting and trip over a loose carpet in the hallway. You fall, hit your head, and suffer a concussion. In this case, workers’ compensation should cover your medical bills and replace a portion of your lost wages since the fall happened while you were working.
Now, suppose you get hurt from a fall during an unpaid lunch break at the café next door to your office. In this case, the injury likely wouldn’t qualify for workers’ compensation since your unpaid meal breaks aren’t considered work-related activities.
Proving a Workplace Slip and Fall for Workers’ Compensation
You must prove several key elements to secure workers ‘ compensation benefits for a slip-and-fall injury. First, you must establish that the slip and fall happened while you were performing work duties or acting within the scope of your employment. You must also demonstrate that your injuries resulted directly from the slip and fall.
Depending on the circumstances, you could prove your workers’ compensation claim by providing evidence such as:
- Photos of the accident scene showing hazardous conditions
- Surveillance video footage capturing your fall
- Witness statements from coworkers or bystanders
- Incident reports filed with your employer
- Medical records detailing your injuries and linking them to your job accident
- Expert testimony on the nature of your injuries or the circumstances of the fall
- Safety inspection reports highlighting workplace hazards
- Maintenance records showing neglect of the area where the slip and fall occurred
- Physical evidence from the scene (e.g., torn carpeting)
- Records of similar incidents at the workplace
- Timecards or work schedules proving you were on duty
- Correspondence with your employer about the incident and injury
- Receipts for injury-related medical bills and treatment
What Compensation Can I Receive?
In the aftermath of a workplace injury in Raleigh, you could receive several types of benefits from a successful workers’ comp claim. These benefits could include:
- Medical benefits – Medical benefits cover all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to your injury. This includes doctor’s visits, hospital stays, medications, surgeries, and other qualifying medical treatment.
- Wage-loss benefits – if your injury prevents you from working and earning your regular pay, you can file a claim for wage replacement benefits. There are different types of wage-loss benefits depending on your degree of disability: temporary total disability (TTD), temporary partial disability (TPD), permanent total disability (PTD), and permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits.
- Vocational rehabilitation – If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job, you could receive financial support to retrain you for a new type of work.
If a worker dies from a work-related injury, their family or dependents could receive death benefits. These benefits include money for burial expenses and financial support to make up for the loss of the employee’s income.
Navigating the Complexities of Slip-and-Fall Workers’ Comp Claims
Navigating a workers’ comp claim for a slip and fall in North Carolina can be tricky. Injured workers often face challenges like proving their injury is work-related or dealing with denied claims. These challenges can prevent eligible workers from getting the benefits they deserve in a timely manner.
Hiring an experienced Raleigh slip-and-fall lawyer can make a big difference. A skilled attorney knows the ins and outs of the state workers’ comp system and how to avoid the hang-ups that can lead to unfair delays and denials. This support can be instrumental in successfully managing the complexities of a workers’ comp claim and any appeals before the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
Get Help from a Hardison & Cochran Attorney Today
If you’ve suffered a slip-and-fall injury at work, the attorneys at Hardison & Cochran can help. We have decades of experience handling workers’ comp claims in North Carolina and are ready to fight for the benefits you’re owed. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.
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FAQs About Slip and Fall Accidents
Below are straightforward answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about slip and falls and workers’ comp claims in North Carolina:
What if I slipped and fell on my way to work or on a lunch break?
Generally, workers’ comp doesn’t cover injuries that happen while commuting to work. The same goes for most lunch breaks unless you performed a work-related task when you fell. However, your eligibility can vary depending on the circumstances, so it’s always best to consult a knowledgeable lawyer for clarification.
How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim for a slip and fall?
In North Carolina, you have 30 days to report the injury to your employer and two years to file a claim after the slip-and-fall accident. (Source)
What should I do right after slipping and falling at work?
First, seek medical treatment if you need it. Then, report the workplace accident to your employer (orally or in writing) as soon as possible, but definitely within 30 days. Document everything about the incident, such as where, when, and how it happened. If you can, take pictures of the scene and ask any witnesses for their contact information.
Can my employer fight my slip-and-fall workers’ comp claim?
Yes. Employers and their insurance companies sometimes dispute workers’ comp claims. For instance, they might argue that the incident wasn’t work-related or question the severity of your injuries. That’s why it’s best to have clear documentation and hire a trusted attorney to handle your claim.
