Slips, Trips, and Falls at Work: South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Guide
Learn which workers are most at risk for slip and fall accidents at work and what to do to get the workers’ comp benefits you deserve after an injury in Columbia
Accidents can happen in any workplace, and one of the most common causes of injury is slipping, tripping, or falling at work. Whether you work on a construction site or in an office, the risk is real for many workers in Columbia and across the state. These incidents can lead to catastrophic injuries that often require extensive medical care and may even prevent you from returning to work.
Fortunately, most South Carolina workers who suffer an injury after falling at work are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to aid in their recoveries. This article will help you understand if you qualify for these benefits and the steps to take to maximize your compensation.
Where do most work-related slips, trips, and falls occur?
Work-related slips, trips, and falls are most likely to occur at heights or in environments with high foot traffic, uneven surfaces, or areas prone to wetness or clutter.
Construction sites are perhaps the most common place for slip and fall accidents due to workers’ exposure to heights, uneven terrain, and loose materials. These accidents often lead to disastrous consequences for roofers and other construction workers.
In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 38% of deaths in the construction industry in 2022 were caused by slips, trips, and falls.
Some other common locations where these incidents tend to happen include:
- Warehouses and factories. These environments often involve heavy equipment, cluttered walkways, and wet or slippery floors, creating multiple hazards for factory workers.
- Hospitality environments. Hotels, restaurants, and event spaces often have high foot traffic, wet floors, and uneven surfaces, increasing the likelihood of slips, trips, and falls for hotel and restaurant workers as well as guests.
- Offices. While office buildings are generally considered safe environments, office workers still face fall risks, particularly around stairways, loose cables, or uneven carpets.
- Retail and grocery stores. Spilled liquids, crowded aisles, and uneven flooring can lead to trips and slips for grocery store workers, especially during busy periods.
- Health care settings. Hospitals and nursing homes are bustling environments that frequently have cluttered hallways and wet floors, as well as elderly or physically compromised patients, all of which raise the chances of slips and falls for both health care workers and patients.
In many cases, preventive measures, such as keeping workspaces clean and organized, using slip-resistant flooring, posting signs to warn of wet surfaces, and providing proper training, can significantly reduce the risk of these accidents.
What injuries result from a fall at work?
Slipping and falling at work from any height can lead to serious injuries, but falls from heights, like ladders and scaffolding, pose the most significant danger to workers.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), falls from heights to a lower level resulted in 700 worker fatalities in 2022 alone, making it the third leading cause of workplace deaths. Additionally, these falls led to over 129,000 non-fatal injuries requiring days away from work that same year.
The NSC also reported that falls on the same level were responsible for 144 deaths and more than 414,000 non-fatal incidents between 2021 and 2022, highlighting the serious risks falls pose to worker safety from any level.
Whether you trip over a crack in the floor and catch yourself or fall from a higher platform, injuries are always possible. Some of the most common slip and fall injuries at work include:
- Fractures. Broken bones, particularly in the arms, wrists, legs, or hips, commonly result from falls.
- Traumatic brain injuries. Minor concussions or more severe head injuries like skull fractures and brain bleeds can occur if a worker’s head strikes a hard surface when they fall.
- Spinal cord injuries. Falls from heights, in particular, can result in severe damage to the back and spine, including herniated discs or even paralysis.
- Whiplash. A sudden jolt or jerking motion during a fall can strain the neck, leading to whiplash, which can cause pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
- Internal injuries. In more severe cases, falls can lead to internal bleeding or organ damage if the impact is particularly forceful.
- Dislocations. Joints, particularly shoulders or knees, can be dislocated from the impact of a fall.
- Cuts and lacerations. Sharp objects or rough surfaces can cause cuts or scrapes when a worker falls.
- Sprains and strains. Twisting or overstretching muscles, tendons, or ligaments can happen when a worker tries to catch themselves during a fall.
These injuries often require immediate medical attention and can vary in severity depending on the fall’s height and impact. Even if a worker initially feels fine after a slip and fall at work, they should still seek treatment because some serious injuries may not initially present with any symptoms.
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What are some delayed symptoms after a fall at work?
In addition to the immediate injuries mentioned above, some workers may experience delayed symptoms after a fall. Some symptoms that might not appear for hours or even days later that could indicate more serious underlying issues include:
- Chronic pain. Lingering pain, especially in the back, neck, or joints, may develop after the initial fall.
- Limited mobility. Stiffness or difficulty moving certain body parts can develop after swelling or further injury sets in.
- Headaches or dizziness. These can be signs of a concussion or more severe brain injury that wasn’t immediately apparent.
- Numbness or tingling. These sensations, especially in the arms or legs, may indicate nerve damage or spinal injuries.
- Swelling and inflammation. Soft tissue injuries like sprains or strains can worsen over time, leading to increased swelling or stiffness.
- Cognitive issues. Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, or confusion could suggest a more serious head injury.
- Bruising that worsens over time. Some bruises might darken or expand as internal bleeding becomes more apparent.
These delayed symptoms are warning signs that the worker should seek further medical evaluation, even if they initially felt fine after the fall. Doing so not only protects your health but ensures you have proper documentation of your injuries, which is crucial for a successful workers’ compensation claim.
Can I get workers’ comp after falling at work?
Yes, you can file for workers’ compensation for a fall at work in South Carolina. Most employers with 4 or more employees, whether part-time or full-time, are required to provide their workers with workers’ compensation insurance.
This coverage is no-fault insurance, so you don’t need to prove the accident was your employer’s fault to get workers’ comp benefits after an injury.
However, you do need to prove that the injury is work-related, meaning it occurred at work while you were performing your job duties, which is why seeking medical care is so important after a fall at work.
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How long do I have to file a workers’ comp claim for a fall at work in SC?
In South Carolina, you generally have 90 days from the date of your workplace injury, such as a fall, to report the incident to your employer in writing. Your employer is then required to file a claim with their workers’ compensation insurer and the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission on your behalf.
However, if your employer fails to file the claim, you have up to 2 years from the date of the accident to file it yourself by submitting Form 50 directly to the Commission.
What workers’ comp benefits can I get for a work-related slip and fall injury?
In South Carolina, if you suffer a work-related slip and fall injury, you may be eligible for various types of workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits include:
- Medical benefits. Covers all necessary treatments, including doctor visits, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and diagnostic tests, ensuring no out-of-pocket medical costs for the injured worker.
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits. If you can’t return to your old job, this benefit covers retraining, education, or job placement to help you transition to a new role.
- Permanent disability benefits. If the injury leads to a permanent impairment, you may be entitled to a structured or lump sum settlement based on the severity of the injury and how it affects your ability to work.
- Temporary disability benefits. If you’re temporarily unable to work, you may receive wage loss benefits equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage. These payments continue until you can return to work or reach maximum medical improvement.
- Death benefits. In fatal cases, dependents may receive compensation for funeral costs and ongoing financial support, typically a percentage of the deceased worker’s wages.
These benefits aim to ensure that injured workers receive the necessary medical care and financial support during their recoveries to ease financial burdens and help them re-enter the workforce after they’re recovered.
Injured in a slip and fall at work in Columbia? We can help!
If you’ve suffered a serious work-related fall in South Carolina and need help navigating your workers’ compensation claim, the experienced Columbia workers’ compensation attorneys at Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega are here to assist you.
We know how overwhelming it can be to face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the uncertainty of recovery, but it’s important not to rush into accepting a quick settlement offer, as insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts. We can help you fully evaluate the extent of your injuries and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf to get you maximum compensation, including coverage for long-term care or rehabilitation if needed.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations to discuss your case and explore your legal options, so contact Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega today to see how we can help you secure the benefits you deserve.
References
A look at falls, slips, and trips in the construction industry : The Economics Daily: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/a-look-at-falls-slips-and-trips-in-the-construction-industry.htm
National Safety Council. (2023a). Falls – Lower Level – Injury Facts. Injury Facts. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/safety-topics/falls-lower-level/
National Safety Council. (2023b). Falls – Same Level – Injury Facts. Injury Facts. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/safety-topics/falls-same-level/
