In work environments with floors that may lack traction, workers must be extremely careful to avoid suffering slip and fall injuries. Both workers and their employer share the responsibility of taking measures to reduce the likelihood of such accidents occurring.
One of the first steps is to identify areas of concern that should be monitored and properly tended to. The following are areas where accidents most frequently occur:
- Where spills or wetness are prevalent.
- On ramps.
- In hallways filled with clutter.
- In transitional areas, such as doorways.
- On surfaces that are uneven.
- In areas that host large amounts of foot traffic.
One preventative measure that employers can take is to choose the best surface for their specific work environments. It is also possible to increase traction on walking surfaces by applying non-skid floor coatings. Slip-resistant mats can also improve traction while relieving leg and back strain. Perhaps one of the most important things employees can do is wear shoes that have slip-resistant soles.
Even though slip and falls that occur on the same level are common, some employees hesitate to report suffering such accidents. A worker may feel embarrassed about having taken a fall, believing that the accident indicates clumsiness on his or her part. However, a hard fall on the ground can cause a very serious injury, so it is important to have a doctor check you out even if you believe you were not hurt.
If a slip and fall has left you so injured that you required care and treatment, or caused you to miss work, then you may want to file for workers’ compensation. A workers’ compensation attorney may be able to help you maximize your settlement. The attorney could aid you in the process of filing your claim and make sure that all of your expenses related to the accident are accounted for.