If you have been injured in a slip and fall on the job, you can seek compensation in several possible ways. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Aurora at The Frickey Law Firm can help you evaluate your legal options.

Construction jobs have their own inherent dangers that come with the duties. These dangers may be made worse by the fact that employers are not entirely committed to worker safety. If you have been hurt in a slip and fall at a construction or maintenance site, you may be able to file either a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the facts and circumstances of your case.

The first step in any legal process is to speak with an Aurora workers’ compensation lawyer at The Frickey Law Firm by calling us at (303) 237-7373. We can discuss your legal path forward during the course of a free initial consultation, which you can schedule with one phone call.

The Issue of Falls at Construction and Maintenance Sites Is Getting Worse

The number of construction falls throughout the United States has increased significantly in the past decade or so. Overall, the level of fatal falls in a construction workplace has increased by 13.3% from 2011 to 2022. The number of falls from heights has increased even more markedly. Not all of this increase in Colorado and nationwide has resulted from the fact that there is increased construction activity. Employers are not doing their part to further worker safety. Many of the injuries occur at smaller construction companies that may not invest in a culture of safety and compliance. 

Falls are one of the “Fatal Four” in a construction setting. These are the four most prevalent causes of construction accident fatalities. There is quite a bit happening in the construction or maintenance work setting, and many ways that employees can fall.

Causes of Fall Injuries on the Job

Employers often cut a number of corners at the workplace. They may not fully train employees on how to do their job, or they may not invest in the necessary safety equipment. Employers often push their workers to perform their job duties in dangerous circumstances when they have not done everything necessary on their end to enhance employee safety.

Common causes of construction and maintenance workplace slip and fall injuries include the following:

• Wet or slippery floor surfaces that are not cleaned and dried
• Broken or uneven flooring on which workers stand and walk
• Poor lighting in a work area
• Cluttered workspaces and debris left in walking paths 
• Employees have to work in adverse weather conditions

Any type of fall injury is serious, no matter where it occurs. If you have fallen inside a building, you can suffer serious injuries through either the unnatural motion of the Fall or your body striking a hard surface.

False can be even more serious when they happen in a construction setting. Not only can a construction worker slip on the ground, but they can also experience even more dangerous and deadly falls from heights. A construction worker may be engaged in their job on a higher level, and they may not have the necessary safety equipment to prevent a fall. Falls from heights can be deadly, and they are a leading cause of construction fatalities in the United States. 

Your Legal Options When You Have Been Injured in a Fall on the Job

If you have been injured in a fall on the job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits that can cover part of your lost wages and the medical expenses associated with treating your injury. There are some circumstances that may allow you to file a lawsuit for your work-related slip and fall injury. For example, you may be able to file a lawsuit when the following circumstances apply:

• Your employer sent you into a dangerous situation with the intent to injure
• Your slip and fall accident occurred off the premises of your employer
• There was a third party who was to blame for the accident that occurred at your job site

If you are able to file a third-party lawsuit, it may increase the amount of compensation you receive if your case is successful. Then, you are entitled to full lost wages and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. Regardless, you can still file a workers’ compensation claim while your lawsuit is pending. Workers’ compensation cases do not depend on proving that an employer was at fault. 

Contact a Colorado Workers’ Compensation Law Firm Today

You can begin the legal process of filing either a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit by scheduling a free initial consultation with a work injury attorney at The Frickey Law Firm. You can speak with a Colorado workers’ compensation lawyer by filling out an online contact form or by calling the law firm today at (303) 237-7373.