Workers' Compensation

You Are Our Priority

more reviews

Charlotte Workplace Falls Injuries Attorneys

Falls are among the most common yet most serious workplace accidents that take place in Charlotte, North Carolina. Whether the victim falls from a height or slips on a hazard, such as a puddle or broken tile, the result can be a debilitating, permanent injury that makes it impossible to earn income and support a family. However, financial benefits may be available in the form of workers’ compensation, which can help provide coverage for medical bills, lost earnings, and disability.

While workers’ compensation can help significantly with your expenses, it can be frustrating and difficult to obtain the benefits you are entitled to. It is not uncommon for benefits to be delayed, or claims to be denied outright.

To learn more about getting compensated for a workplace fall in a free and confidential consultation, call the Ramsay Law Firm at (704) 376-1616 today.

Workplace Falls Statistics and Causes

There are two basic types of accidental falls which can take place at a job site or during the course of an employee’s job duties: falls from heights, which are particularly common in the construction industry, and slip and fall accidents, which typically occur when factors like debris, leaks, or poor lighting create a trip hazard.

In either situation, the outcome for the victim and his or her family can be absolutely devastating. Even in cases where a full recovery is possible, such as a broken bone that heals with no complications, the injuries may keep the victim out of work for months while he or she recuperates. In the most extreme cases, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a fall can produce severe and permanent disabilities, or even be fatal for the victim.

Falls occur for a number of reasons, in all types of industries. However, certain types of workers are at greater risk. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has named accidental falls among the “Fatal Four” most common deadly accidents in the construction industry. According to OSHA accident statistics, falls were the number one leading cause of death in the construction industry during 2015, accounting for 364 out of 937 fatalities in the industry that year (about 39%).

Falls from heights frequently involve falls from ladders or falls from scaffolding. The causes of slip and fall accidents are more numerous. Slip, trip and fall accidents in the workplace can be caused by any number of hazards, ranging from slippery floors in a restaurant kitchen to cracked or rotted flooring at a retail outlet.

Even in workplaces where falls from heights are unlikely or impossible, such as first floor offices, slip and fall accidents still present a serious injury hazard. These types of accidents can occur in all types of industries and work environments, including:

  • Banks
  • Bars and Restaurants
  • Construction Sites
  • Convenience Stores and Pharmacies
  • Distribution Centers
  • Factories
  • Fast Food Franchises
  • Grocery Stores
  • Gyms and Fitness Centers
  • Hospitals and Clinics
  • Hotels and Motels
  • Music and Live Entertainment Venues
  • Movie Theatres
  • Salons and Spas
  • Schools and Universities
  • Warehouses

Regardless of where or why they occur, falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to CDC data, during 2013, “Falls accounted for 47% of all TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States.” Falls can also lead to:

As an injured worker, you have legal rights. To start discussing your options in a free and confidential legal consultation, contact our Charlotte workplace injury attorneys at the Ramsay Law Firm at (704) 376-1616 right away.