What To Do If You Slip & Fall at Work in Florida?

If you have been injured in a slip and fall at work in Florida, you should first understand that you have rights. In most cases, you have the right to benefits for your medical bills and lost wages. You also have legal protections to safeguard your job while you recover, including laws that prevent your employer from retaliating against you for filing a claim.

However, the system does not always work as intended. Claims are unfairly denied, employers lash out or fire injured employees, and—in some cases—may not even carry the insurance they are required to by law.

If you find yourself in one of these situations, we urge you to get in touch with a Florida workers’ compensation attorney to ensure your rights are protected.

At Colling Gilbert Wright, we are here to help folks injured in a slip and fall at work. If you are facing unfair treatment while trying to recover the benefits and compensation you deserve for your injuries, you shouldn’t have to fight for your rights alone.

To schedule your FREE consultation with the workers’ comp attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright, call us today at (407) 712-7300. We proudly represent our neighbors in Orlando and throughout Florida.

What Happens If You Have a Slip & Fall at Work?

Being injured on the job is always a stressful situation. It can lead to pain, embarrassment, fear, and uncertainty. The good news is that Florida law protects most injured workers who suffer slip and falls while on the job.

However, following some specific steps after your injury is important for recovering the workers’ comp benefits you deserve.

What To Do If You Slip & Fall At Work

The first thing you should do after a slip and fall at work is seek medical attention. If your injuries are an emergency and require immediate treatment, call 911 or go to the emergency room. Be sure to tell the staff that your injury is work-related so they can contact your employer and/or their insurance provider.

If your injuries do not constitute an emergency, you may be required to use a physician approved by your employer’s workers’ comp insurance provider.

Once you receive the medical treatment you need, you should then:

• Document the accident
• Report your injury to your employer
• Collect all evidence and documentation related to your accident, injuries, and treatment
• Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer

While you may be able to navigate the workers’ compensation claims process without hiring a lawyer, discussing your situation with an attorney is always helpful for ensuring you are proceeding appropriately. If you do face challenges in recovering benefits for your injury, a workers’ compensation attorney can step in to advocate for your rights.

Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents

Unfortunately, slip and falls are not uncommon in workplace settings. According to the CDC, they are especially common in the construction, healthcare, and retail industries, with construction accounting for more fall-related deaths than any other industry.

While there are countless potential causes of these accidents, some of the most frequent include:

• Slippery surfaces, such as water or grease on the floor
• Tripping hazards
• Irregularities in floor or wall openings

These hazards can quickly result in painful injuries and significant damages, including medical costs, time away from work, and more.

What Is the Employer’s Responsibility After a Slip & Fall at Work?

The good news for the majority of Florida workers is that most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This coverage protects workers who suffer on-the-job injuries, including those caused by slip and fall accidents. If a company does not carry the required insurance, it will usually face a Stop-Work Order and be forced to pay a fine.

Once you report your injury to your employer—which you must do within 30 days of an accident or 30 days of learning of a work-related injury or illness—your employer should submit a claim to their insurance company within 7 days.

If they do not submit the claim, you can submit it yourself. If you are unable to find your employer’s insurance provider information, contact Florida’s Department of Financial Services to file a report.

Are Employers Liable for Injuries to Employees Even If the Employees Are At Fault?

Florida’s workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you should still recover benefits even if you were at fault for your slip and fall. That said, there are some exceptions to this rule, including:

• If you caused the incident on purpose
• If you were intoxicated or acting grossly negligent (for example, fighting)

Even if the accident was your fault, you must still notify your employer within the 30-day timeframe and follow all other rules and requirements. This includes rules that apply after you begin receiving benefits, such as continuing to abide by your doctor’s treatment plan and attending all medical appointments.

Compensation for a Slip & Fall at Work

Workers’ compensation benefits cover three categories:

Medical Benefits

All your medical expenses are covered, including:

• Doctor’s visits
• Hospitalization
• Tests
• Physical therapy
• Prescriptions
• Cost of traveling to and from appointments
• And more

However, in most cases, these costs will only be covered if you receive care from providers approved by your employer’s insurance company.

Lost Wages & Other Monetary Compensation

The lost wages benefits you are eligible for depend on how debilitating your injuries are and whether they are temporary or permanent. For example, if you are unable to work for a period but expect to make a full recovery, you would qualify for Temporary Total Disability (TTD), which would pay a percentage of your wages for up to 6 months.

For a full list of the types of disabilities and what benefits you should expect, visit the Benefits Available to Injured Workers page.

Death Benefits

If a slip and fall at work results in the worker’s death, their family is entitled to benefits up to $150,000, including funeral expenses, compensation to dependents, and educational benefits.

While there are exceptions—such as when an employer intentionally causes harm or a third party is involved in the accident—you generally cannot pursue compensation beyond workers’ compensation coverage for on-the-job injuries. If you believe an exception may apply in your situation, we recommend discussing your case with a workplace injury attorney.

Contact the Dedicated Attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright Today

While the workers’ compensation system provides much-needed protection for injured workers across Florida, it does not always work as intended. Claims are denied, benefits are stopped, employers try to manipulate the system, and problems arise when processing claims. Regardless of the specifics, these issues can keep you from receiving the benefits you need and deserve as you recover.

A slip and fall at work can be more complicated than a slip and fall incident elsewhere. At Colling Gilbert Wright, we’re here to help. We’ll walk alongside you each step of the way to ensure you have the guidance, resources, and representation you need to secure the benefits you deserve.

Contact Colling Gilbert Wright today for a FREE case review with our Orlando workers’ compensation attorneys.