Eight hundred workers in the United States died in 2015 after falling in work-related accidents. Many more were injured in slip or trip and falls on the same level and falls from higher levels. Falls from higher levels to lower levels include falls from collapsing structures or equipment and falls through the surface or through existing openings.
Are You Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
In Iowa, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation if your fall was a work-related accident. For example, your fall may have been work-related if you:
- Slipped on a wet surface while performing your job duties.
- Fell off a ladder or down the stairs while performing your job duties.
- Tripped over a tool you were working with to perform your job duties.
Of course, these are just examples of when a fall could be considered a work-related accident. You do not have to prove negligence in order to get workers’ compensation benefits in Iowa. Instead, you need to prove to your employer’s insurance company that you were hurt in the course of your employment or while performing your job duties.
Common Injuries From Fall Accident at Work
You can hurt almost anything in a fall—depending on how you fell, how you landed, and your overall health. Some fall injuries that could lead you to seek workers’ compensation include:
- Strains, sprains, and lacerations.
- Broken bones.
- Brain injuries.
If you suffer any pain or unusual health symptoms after a fall at work, then you should seek immediate medical attention.
And You Should Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Some workers’ compensation insurance companies will fight your fall injury recovery. They may argue that it was your own preexisting condition that caused you to fall or that your fall was not work-related.
An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can protect your rights and help you get the recovery that you deserve. If you’ve fallen—or been hurt at work in any way—then please contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation today.