Slip and fall injuries are the most common injuries that happen in the workplace. These injuries include head injuries, back injuries, broken bones, sprains, pulled muscles, and lacerations and bruises.
How do these accidents occur in the first place?
Succinctly stated, wet floors, oil-soaked floors, faulty or malfunctioning machinery, objects left lying around, poor factory lighting, flooring that is not glued down properly, and uneven floors are all accidents waiting to happen.
Therefore, if you have been injured in the workplace, do you have any recourse? And, what are the steps that you need to take directly after the injury?
Here are the answers to these questions:
The work place injury: Do you have any legal recourse?
The first step in all workplace injuries is to determine who is liable for the accident. Once liability has been established, then you, as the injured party, will know what legal recourse you have.
For example, injuries from slippery or poorly maintained factory floors can be directly attributed to the business owner. On the other hand, injuries caused by faulty machinery even if it has been maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions can be assigned to the manufacturer.
The good news is that you do not need to determine whose fault the accident is, all you need to do is to hire a Toledo personal injury attorney to manage the lawsuit on your behalf.
The work place injury: Steps to take immediately after the accident
Shut down machinery
If you are not left unconscious or severely injured, immediately shut down any malfunctioning machinery to prevent any further accidents. If you have slipped on a wet or oily surface, make sure that your workmates know that the floor is slippery and that they should stay away from the area.
If you have been seriously injured and you cannot move, then you need to do your best to alert someone to your plight and wait for them to help you.
Seek medical help
Most factories have onsite clinics that are staffed by a qualified nurse. If you can move, go to the clinic for a check-up. Should you need to visit the closest hospital’s emergency care department for x-rays and specialist medical treatment, the clinic staff will make the arrangements for you to be transported to the hospital.
If, on the other hand, you are unable to move, the clinic staff will call an ambulance to transport you to the hospital for medical treatment. If there is the risk of head or back injuries, it is vital not to move. Instead wait for the emergency paramedics to attend to you on the factory floor, stabilize your head and back before transporting you to hospital.
Report the accident
It is vital that a comprehensive work place injury report is filled out. This will be used as a basis for the personal injury claim. It will also be used to claim the cost of the medical bills from the company’s workman’s compensation insurance.