What Happens if You Fall at Work? (and What to Do Next)

Whether your workplace setting is an office, a factory, or a construction site, any employee can suffer a fall at work. If you’re wondering what happens if you fall at work, it may be time to call a work injury lawyer and learn how they can help you recover compensation.

Fall accidents are one of the most serious types of workplace injuries, as they often result in brain or spinal cord injuries. However, it’s not always easy to recover the money you need. What sort of compensation you qualify for can depend on state laws, your employee status, and the experience level of the lawyer helping with your claim.

Connecticut’s Rules About Injuries at Work

Like most states, Connecticut law requires employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance is designed to cover the costs of a worker’s medical expenses and lost wages when they suffer an injury at work.

Many states only require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance if they have a certain number of employees. In this respect, injured workers in Connecticut are in luck. State laws in CT around workplace injuries are stricter than in many other states.

Employers in Connecticut are required to provide workers’ comp when they have one or more workers, including full-time, part-time, or contract workers. Often, recovering compensation for a work injury when working on a contract basis can be challenging.

However, Connecticut employers are required to carry workers’ comp for contractors as well. This means filing a workers’ compensation claim is a more streamlined process for contract workers, bringing a better chance of recovering the injury compensation you need. 

What to Do if You’ve Fallen at Work

If you fall at work, it’s important to understand what steps to take next. How you respond in the aftermath of a workplace injury can directly influence your workers’ compensation claim.

A workplace fall can range in severity. When injuries are serious, you may lose consciousness or be unable to move. When this occurs, you’ll likely be taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

However, it’s not always possible to recognize the extent of injuries after a fall. Even if you’re able to move around or return to work, doing so is a mistake.

As soon as you fall at work, you should notify a supervisor and leave to be checked by a medical professional who is in-network with your employer’s workers’ compensation provider. You should also make sure an accident report has been filed at your workplace.

Once you’ve seen a doctor, your next step should be to consult a Connecticut work injury lawyer for help with your workers’ compensation claim.

When to Reach Out to a Connecticut Attorney

The safest course of action is to contact a Connecticut work injury attorney any time you suffer a fall at work. A lawyer will be able to advise you on how to protect your finances and your loved ones.

If you’re injured badly enough to merit workers’ comp coverage, allowing a lawyer to handle the claim process for you can make a significant difference to the overall compensation you walk away with.

The workers’ compensation claim process requires completing complex paperwork, providing supporting documentation, and demonstrating the full impact of the injury on your health and finances. It can be easy to make a mistake in the process, which can lead to a denied claim.

Furthermore, insurance companies often take advantage of injured workers by offering much lower benefits than what an injured worker can qualify for. When you don’t have a lawyer representing you, it can be hard to know when an insurance company isn’t offering the workers’ comp benefits that are in keeping with the benefits that you are entitled to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens if You Fall at Work and Your Employer Won’t Pay?

Not paying for workplace injuries isn’t an option for Connecticut employers. If your employer doesn’t carry workers’ comp or refuses to file a claim, you need to consult a lawyer as soon as possible.

What if My Employer Asked Me to Lie About How I Was Injured?

It’s illegal for a Connecticut employer to ask you to lie about whether your injuries happened on the job. It’s also illegal for an employer to make threats or retaliate against you for filing a workers’ comp claim. If your employer engages in any of these practices, a lawyer can help you fight back.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Pay Cover?

In Connecticut, workers’ compensation can provide you money for things like:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Total temporary disability
• Partial permanent disability
• Occupational rehabilitation costs
• Support of dependents in the event of death

Exactly how much workers’ comp you qualify for depends on factors like the extent of your injuries, how long they’ll take to heal, and whether you’ll recover fully.

Contact a Connecticut Work Injury Lawyer Today

Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge is a leader in Connecticut personal injury law. We’ve been fighting to help injured clients in Connecticut recover the compensation they need since 1988.

Our award-winning personal injury lawyers have a long track record of recovering fair compensation in the many workplace injury cases we’ve handled.

If you’ve fallen at work in Connecticut, don’t leave your future and finances to chance. Call Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge to schedule a free consultation and learn how an experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyer can help you recover the workplace injury compensation you need.