Is my slip and fall accident at work a case of workers’ compensation?

When you think of slip and fall accidents, you may think of slipping on a patch of ice just outside your front door. But did you ever think that this type of accident can happen in the workplace? According to OSHA, slip, trip and fall accidents make up the majority of general industry accidents. These accidents make up for 15 percent of all accidental deaths. It is, in fact, the second leading cause of accidental deaths behind motor vehicle accidents.

So let’s say you’re at the office. While walking to the copier, your foot catches on the power cord from someone’s computer. You trip and fall, breaking your ankle. Who is responsible for your accident? And more importantly, is this a workers’ compensation claim?

Since you were performing one of your job duties at the time of the accident, yes, you can claim workers’ compensation. But let’s change the scenario and say you were going heading to lunch at the time of the accident. Then it gets a little murky. You may not be able to file a workers’ compensation claim, since you weren’t performing your job duties at the time of the accident. But this doesn’t mean you can’t file a personal injury lawsuit since the area was unsafe at the time of your accident.

It can be very difficult to figure out what sort of claim you need to file after a slip and fall accident at work. That’s why you need an experienced workplace lawyer by your side to help you through the legal hurdles. The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone has been handling workers’ compensation and personal injury claims for the past 26 years. We know the system in New Jersey and we will guide you to the best possible solution for your legal dilemma. Contact us today for a free consultation.