What Happens If You Slip and Fall at Work in Fort Lauderdale?
One moment you are walking across a Fort Lauderdale job site, and the next you are on the ground. Slip and fall accidents at work happen without warning, and the injuries they produce can put you out of work for months or even years afterward.
Florida workers’ compensation covers slip-and-fall injuries that occur on the job, but getting approved is not always easy. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer helps clients in these cases and explains how slips and falls often happen in the workplace, the injuries that can result, and how to protect your benefits.
Why Work-Related Slip and Fall Accidents in Fort Lauderdale Often Happen
According to the National Safety Council, injuries caused by falls are the third leading cause of accidental death in the United States and one of the costliest categories of workplace injury. In Florida, they happen across every industry, from construction sites, warehouses, and hospitals to retail stores and restaurants.
Common ways work-related slips and falls happen in Fort Lauderdale include:
- Wet or freshly mopped floors and inadequate warning signs.
- Loose floor mats, torn carpeting, or uneven surfaces.
- Cluttered walkways, trailing cords, or debris left in aisles and stairwells.
- Outdoor surfaces made slick by rain or humidity, a year-round concern across South Florida.
- Poorly lit stairwells, ramps, loading docks, and parking areas.
Under Section 440.09 of the Florida Statutes, workers’ compensation covers any injury that arises out of and in the course of employment, regardless of whether your employer was negligent.
Work-Related Slip and Fall Injuries in Fort Lauderdale: How to Protect Your Benefits
Slips and falls that happen on the job in South Florida can cause serious harm, impacting your health, finances, and ability to work or engage in other activities. The National Institutes of Health reports that slips and falls account for more than a third of all work-related injuries in the U.S. each year. These include:
- Sprained or torn muscles or tendons;
- Broken bones, particularly in the ankles, hips, and upper limbs;
- Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and injuries involving the spinal cord;
- Concussions, skull fractures, and potentially severe traumatic brain injuries.
Benefits available through the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation can help cover emergency care, imaging, orthopedic treatment, physical therapy, and other costs, as well as lost wages. To protect your rights to these benefits, report your injuries immediately to your employer, seek medical care right away, follow all doctor instructions, and get legal help if insurers try to deny or dispute your claim.
Contact an Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Work-related slips and falls in Fort Lauderdale can impact your health and finances for long afterward. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer acts as a strong legal ally on your side, representing you in dealing with insurers and fighting for your full benefits.
To protect your claim, reach out to The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., and request a consultation at our Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach office today.
Sources:
nsc.org/workplace/safety-topics/slips-trips-and-falls/slips-trips-and-falls-home?srsltid=AfmBOooRcukWMJESjrvFn1P4zncYCFJJl8zdsHRFB9wfGWbKL6kvt5SX
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.09.html
myfloridacfo.com/division/wc
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK470372/