Slip and Fall Accidents in the Workplace: What Are Your Rights?

A slip and fall accident at your workplace can instantly disrupt your life. What begins as a normal day on the job can end with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about your financial future. When you are hurt at work in Pennsylvania, understanding your rights is the first and most critical step toward protecting yourself and your family.

At Lenahan & Dempsey, we have dedicated decades to defending the rights of injured workers across Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for individuals who have been hurt due to unsafe conditions, and we understand the complexities of workplace injury claims. Our workplace accident attorneys will outline your rights after a workplace slip and fall and explain the crucial actions you must take.

Understanding Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania

After a work-related injury, your primary source of benefits is typically the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. This is a no-fault system, which means you do not have to prove your employer was negligent to receive benefits. As long as your injury occurred during the course of your employment, you are generally eligible. Workers’ compensation benefits can cover:

• Medical Expenses: All reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your injury, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, and prescription medications.
• Lost Wages: If your injury prevents you from working, you may be entitled to wage-loss benefits, typically calculated as a percentage of your average weekly wage.
• Specific Loss Benefits: For injuries that result in the permanent loss of use of a body part, such as a finger or an eye, or for serious and permanent disfigurement.

It is essential to report your injury to your employer immediately, or as soon as possible. In Pennsylvania, you must notify your employer within 120 days of the injury to protect your right to benefits. Failing to provide a timely notice can jeopardize your claim.

When Can You File a Lawsuit? The Role of Third-Party Claims

While workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against your direct employer in most cases, it does not prevent you from seeking justice from other negligent parties. This is known as a third-party liability claim. A slip and fall accident at work may have been caused by someone other than your employer or a co-worker. Consider these scenarios:

• Defective Equipment: If you fell because a ladder, scaffold, or piece of machinery was defectively designed or manufactured, you may have a claim against the product’s manufacturer.
• Negligent Contractors: If your slip and fall occurred on a worksite managed by a general contractor, or was caused by the negligence of a subcontractor (e.g., a cleaning service that left a floor dangerously wet), that third party may be held liable.
• Unsafe Property Conditions: If your job requires you to visit another property and you slip and fall due to an unsafe condition (like an icy walkway or a poorly lit staircase), the owner of that property could be responsible for your injuries.

Unlike a workers’ compensation claim, a third-party lawsuit allows you to recover damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the full scope of your economic losses — compensation not available through workers’ comp alone. Pursuing these claims requires an in-depth investigation to identify all responsible parties, a process our experienced attorneys manage for our clients.

The Importance of Experienced Legal Representation

Navigating the aftermath of a workplace slip and fall can be overwhelming. Insurance companies, including those handling workers’ compensation claims, are focused on protecting their financial interests, not yours. They may attempt to deny your claim, pressure you into a low settlement, or challenge the severity of your injuries.

Having a dedicated legal team on your side levels the playing field. The attorneys at Lenahan & Dempsey have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers for our commitment to clients. We handle the legal burdens so you can focus on your recovery. An attorney will:

• Protect Your Rights: Ensure all deadlines are met and that your workers’ compensation rights are fully protected.
• Investigate Your Accident: Gather crucial evidence, such as witness statements, surveillance footage, and accident reports, to establish how your injury occurred.
• Identify All Liable Parties: Determine if a third-party claim is viable, potentially opening the door to more comprehensive compensation.
• Handle Communications: Manage all interactions with insurance adjusters and opposing counsel, preventing you from making statements that could harm your case.
• Maximize Your Compensation: Fight to secure the full and fair benefits you are owed, whether through a workers’ compensation settlement or a third-party verdict.

Protecting Workers’ Rights in Scranton and Beyond

For decades, the team at Lenahan & Dempsey has stood with the hardworking people of Scranton and Northeastern Pennsylvania. We have seen firsthand how a sudden workplace injury can affect a family. Our firm was built on the principle of providing exceptional legal representation to those who have been harmed through no fault of their own.

If you have suffered a slip and fall accident at work, do not wait to seek legal advice. Your employer and their insurance company have legal teams protecting their interests. You deserve the same level of dedicated advocacy. Contact Lenahan & Dempsey for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

*Best Lawyers in America and Best Law Firms are trademarks of Woodward White. Super Lawyers and Top 100 Lawyers in Pennsylvania are trademarks of Thompson Reuters. Both trademarks are used with permission. Details on Settlements & Verdicts are found at LenahanDempsey.com. All law firms are required to note that because the facts of each case are different, past performance is not a promise of a future outcome.