Most people do not find it surprising to learn that falls are a leading cause of serious workplace injuries and deaths. However, they may think of tree trimmers, roofers and construction workers when imagining the risk of a fall on the job.
Clearly, anyone who works at a significant elevation is vulnerable to a fall and may require special protective gear to limit their risk while working. However, workplace injury statistics made it clear that the vast majority of serious workplace falls do not involve employees performing their jobs at significant elevations.
Instead, they involve same-level falls caused by slipping or tripping. Untied shoelaces, slippery surfaces or rushing while working can all lead to workers falling and sustaining significant injuries.
Some common same-level fall injuries
Falling just a few feet from a standing position may not seem likely to cause serious injuries. However, factors ranging from the age of the person who falls and their underlying medical conditions to their ability to react when they slip can influence the injuries they suffer.
People who try to stop their falls may incur soft tissue injuries or broken bones that require weeks to heal. They may require medical care and either time away from work or light-duty job functions that offer lower pay.
If workers cannot brace when they fall or if they fall near other objects, they are at risk of striking their heads on the floor or nearby objects. Traumatic brain injuries caused by same-level falls can cause permanent medical issues. Brain injuries can affect motor function, sensory perception and cognition. While it is less common, a same-level fall could also potentially cause a spinal cord injury.
Any of these injuries might be serious enough to necessitate medical benefits through workers’ compensation. Employees may also need disability benefits to replace their pay while they stay home to recover or to augment their lower wages while performing light-duty job functions.
Reporting a fall and seeking medical care are both important steps for protecting an employee’s right to workers’ compensation benefits after getting hurt on the job. Injured employees can benefit from legal guidance to help understand the claims process and maximize their benefits.