Work-Related Slip and Fall Injuries in Fort Lauderdale: What Florida Workers’ Compensation Covers
Whether you work in a local store, restaurant, warehouse, or office, slip and fall injuries are common, and the consequences can be severe. Florida workers’ compensation can help cover your costs, but insurers are quick to downplay and dispute these claims.
Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer guides injured workers through the often complex claims process, helping them get the total amount they deserve. Find out how these work-related slips and falls often happen and the types of injuries that qualify for benefits.
How Slips and Falls Happen On the Job in South Florida
The National Safety Council warns that falls are a leading cause of death in the United States. They are also one of the most costly categories of workplace injury nationwide. In Fort Lauderdale, they pose significant risks to workers in a variety of occupations and can cause potentially debilitating harm.
Under Section 440.09 of the Florida Statutes, workers’ compensation covers any injury that arises out of and in the course of employment. Common ways slip and fall accidents in Fort Lauderdale happen on the job:
- Failing to attend to wet floors or post warning signs.
- Loose floor mats, torn carpeting, or uneven walking surfaces.
- Cluttered aisles, trailing cords, or debris left in walkways.
- Poorly lit stairwells, ramps, or parking areas on employer property.
- Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or other heights.
Benefits available through the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation can help cover your emergency care, ongoing testing, treatment, and physical therapy, as well as lost wages during your recovery.
Common Types of Work-Related Slip and Fall Injuries in Fort Lauderdale
Regardless of how a slip and fall happened, benefits available through workers’ compensation can help cover your costs. Common types of work-related fall injuries in South Florida include:
- Strained muscles and tendons due to sudden jerks that happen during a fall.
- Fractured wrists, hands, and arms from instinctively reaching out to break your impact.
- Hip fractures are particularly common among older workers.
- Knee injuries, including torn ligaments and meniscus damage, can occur from the twisting impact of a sudden fall.
- Head and traumatic brain injuries occur when the worker strikes the ground, a shelf, or another hard surface.
- Spinal injuries and herniated discs resulting from the force of impact on the back or neck.
If you suffer a slip-and-fall accident on the job, do not downplay the situation. Failing to report the incident and not seeking immediate medical care could jeopardize your eligibility for benefits.
Hurt in a Workplace Slip and Fall? Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Work-related slip and fall accidents in Fort Lauderdale can cause serious injuries that impact you and your loved ones long afterward. To protect your rights in a Florida workers’ compensation claim, professional legal help from the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A.
Our experienced South Florida workers’ compensation lawyer represents injured workers and fights for the benefits they need to recover. Request a consultation at our Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach office today.
Source:
nsc.org/work-safety/safety-topics/slips-trips-falls https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.09.html