Slip and Fall Injuries at Work in Gastonia, NC
If you’ve been hurt on the job due to a fall, you’re not alone. Slip and fall injuries are among the most common workplace accidents in North Carolina, often leaving workers with painful injuries and mounting medical bills. Whether you slipped on a wet floor, tripped over clutter, or fell down stairs at work, you may be entitled to compensation through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.
A Gastonia workers’ comp lawyer can help you recover the benefits you deserve after a slip-and-fall accident on the job. Our legal team at 1Charlotte Injury Lawyers is committed to guiding injured workers through every step of the workers’ compensation system.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries in the Workplace
Common injuries from slip and fall accidents in the workplace include:
- Sprains and strains: These injuries often affect ankles, wrists, and knees.
- Fractures: Broken wrists, arms, hips, or ankles are common in falls.
- Back and spinal injuries: Falls can cause herniated discs and spinal cord damage.
- Head injuries: Falls can cause concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), or skull fractures.
- Shoulder injuries: Workers may suffer rotator cuff tears or dislocations.
- Knee injuries: Falls can cause torn ligaments (ACL, MCL) or meniscus damage.
- Internal injuries: While less common, falls from heights may cause organ damage and internal bleeding.
What Workers Are Most at Risk for Slip and Fall Injuries?
While slip and fall accidents can happen in nearly any workplace, certain jobs and industries carry a higher risk due to the environment or the physical demands. Employees most at risk include:
- Construction workers: They often work at heights or around uneven surfaces.
- Healthcare workers: They frequently move quickly in environments where spills are common
- Warehouse and factory workers: They are exposed to slick floors, moving equipment, and heavy lifting.
- Restaurant and food service employees: Wet or greasy kitchen floors can cause slips and falls.
- Janitors and custodians: They regularly handle cleaning fluids and work on wet surfaces.
- Retail workers: Retail spaces have high foot traffic areas with potential hazards like spilled liquids or clutter.
- Delivery drivers: They face outdoor slip risks from ice, rain, or uneven walkways
North Carolina Workers’ Compensation for Slip and Fall Injuries
Workers’ compensation in North Carolina is designed to provide financial and medical benefits to employees injured on the job, regardless of fault. If you’ve suffered a slip and fall injury while performing work duties, you may be entitled to several types of benefits.
Medical Benefits
If you suffer slip and fall injuries at work, one of the first things workers’ compensation should cover is your medical treatment. This includes:
- Emergency room visits
- Doctor appointments
- Hospital stays
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Diagnostic testing (e.g., X-rays and MRIs)
- Surgery, if needed
You must receive treatment from a workers’ comp doctor approved by the employer’s insurance company. Failure to do so could jeopardize your benefits. In emergencies, you can go to the nearest hospital or urgent care.
Wage Loss Benefits
Workers’ compensation benefits replace some of your lost wages while you recover.
If your injury prevents you from working for more than seven days, you can receive temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. If you cannot work for more than 21 days, you’ll be paid benefits for the first 7 days. TTD benefits pay two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
If you return to work in a light-duty position, you can receive temporary partial disability benefits. TPD benefits pay two-thirds of the difference between your average weekly wage and your post-injury income.
If a slip and fall leads to a permanent disability, workers’ comp offers permanent partial disability (PPD) or permanent total disability (PTD) benefits, depending on the severity of your impairment.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Some slip and fall injuries are so serious that returning to your old job may not be possible. In these situations, North Carolina’s workers’ comp system offers vocational rehabilitation services to help injured employees transition to new types of work. This might include:
- Job placement assistance
- Career counseling
- Resume preparation
- Training or certification programs
If you’re struggling to return to the workforce after your injury, a Gastonia workers’ comp attorney can help you pursue vocational benefits.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall at Work
After a workplace fall, taking the right steps can make a significant difference in your recovery and your ability to collect full compensation. Here’s what you should do immediately after a slip and fall at work.
Collect Evidence
If you’re physically able, document the scene of the accident as soon as possible. Use your phone to take pictures of the hazardous condition that caused the fall, such as:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Loose rugs or tiles
- Unmarked hazards
- Broken stairs or handrails
Also, gather witness information and write down exactly what happened while it’s fresh in your mind. This evidence can be essential if your employer or their insurance carrier questions your claim.
Seek Medical Care from an Approved Workers’ Comp Doctor
You need to get medical attention right away, even if you think your injuries are minor. Sometimes, injuries like concussions or internal damage aren’t immediately obvious.
Importantly, you must see a doctor approved by your employer’s workers’ comp insurance. If you go to your doctor without permission, your treatment may not be covered. In emergencies, you can go to the nearest hospital or urgent care, but follow-up care should go through an approved provider.
Report the Injury to Your Employer
In North Carolina, you must report your injury to your employer in writing within 30 days of the accident. While verbal notice is a good first step, you should follow it up with a written report that includes:
- Date and time of the incident
- Description of how the injury occurred
- Names of any witnesses
Failing to report your injury in time can put your benefits at risk.
File a Workers’ Comp Claim
Filing your official claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) is a critical step. This is done by submitting Form 18, the “Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee.” You should also provide a copy of this form to your employer.
An experienced Gastonia workers’ compensation lawyer can help you fill out and file this form correctly to avoid delays or denials.
How a Gastonia Workers’ Comp Lawyer Can Help
Workers’ compensation claims for slip and fall injuries are often more complicated than they appear. Insurance companies may dispute the extent of your injuries, deny coverage, or offer less than you deserve.
Our Gastonia workers’ compensation lawyers can help you navigate the process and maximize your benefits.
Filing Your Claim
One small mistake on your paperwork can lead to delays or a claim denial. Our attorneys will:
- Ensure your Form 18 is filled out accurately and filed on time
- Help you gather the documentation needed to support your claim
- Communicate with your employer and their insurance company on your behalf
We’ll walk you through the entire process so you don’t have to deal with the stress alone.
Maximizing Your Benefits
Insurance companies often try to minimize what they pay out. We won’t let that happen. A Gastonia workers’ comp lawyer from our firm will:
- Fight for the maximum wage replacement benefits you’re entitled to
- Help ensure necessary medical treatments are covered
We look at the full picture of your injury’s impact, now and in the future, to pursue every benefit available.
Appealing a Denied Claim
If your claim is denied, don’t give up hope. We can help you appeal the decision and fight for your rights. The appeals process includes:
- Filing a formal request for a hearing before the North Carolina Industrial Commission
- Presenting evidence and expert testimony
- Representing you during hearings and mediation
We’ve helped countless workers overturn denials and win the benefits they need to move forward.
Why Choose 1 Charlotte Injury Lawyers?
At 1 Charlotte Injury Lawyers, we’re proud to be a trusted advocate for injured workers in Gastonia and throughout North Carolina. Our team is deeply familiar with the workers’ compensation system and passionate about helping employees get the maximum benefits.
- Personalized attention: We treat every case with care and compassion.
- Proven experience: Our lawyers know how to navigate complex cases and secure successful outcomes.
- No fees unless we win: You don’t pay us unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for a Free Case Review
Slip and fall injuries can have long-lasting effects, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Let 1 Charlotte Injury Lawyers be your advocate and guide throughout the workers’ comp process. Our Gastonia workers’ compensation attorneys can help you secure the treatment, compensation, and support you need to heal and rebuild.
Call (704) 706-2689 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
