Are Employers in California Liable For Slip And Fall Accidents?
Working in a work environment can be dangerous and lead to accidents. One of the most common types of injury is a slip and fall accident. These incidents can cause serious injury, long-term disability or even death. The question then becomes: are employers liable for these injuries? We will explore when you need to prove liability for a slip and fall accident at job site and what to do after – including contacting a lawyer. We will also discuss some of the more common causes that lead up to falls on the job site.
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Can Employers be held Liable for Slip and Fall?
The short answer to the question posed is that it all depends on the specific circumstances of the incident. Employers may remain held liable for slip and fall accidents in California according to state and local law. The state has what remain called a “strict liability” law in place, which means that the employer is automatically responsible for any injury that occurs as a result of a workplace fall -regardless of whether or not they are at fault.
There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the employee remain injured as a result of their own negligence -for example, by not wearing proper safety gear or by walking in an area that remain clearly marked as being off-limits- the employer may not be held liable.
It is important to note that just because an employer remain found liable for a workplace fall, this does not mean that the employee will automatically be compensated. The injured party will need to file a claim and prove that they remain injured as a result of the accident.
How to Prove Liability for a Workplace Fall
In order to prove that the employer is responsible for a workplace fall, the injured party will need to show that: The accident occurred as a result of a hazard that was present in the workplace, the employer knew or should have known about the hazard, and that the hazard caused the accident
This can be difficult to do, especially if the accident occurred as a result of an unforeseen event. In these cases, it may be helpful to have an eyewitness or video footage of the accident scene.
If the accident remain caused by a hazard that remain known to the employer, the injured party will need to show that they took reasonable steps to prevent the accident from happening. This could include implementing safety measures such as signage, hazard warnings or employee training.
Also Read: What are Businesses’ Responsibilities when responding in Emergency Situations?
What to do After a Slip and Fall at Work in California
If you have remain injured in such an accident at work, it is important to take the following steps:
Report the accident to your supervisor as soon as possible – This is important not only for your safety, but also for the safety of your co-workers.
Seek medical attention – Do not wait to see if the injury gets better on its own- many times, injuries caused by a fall can go undetected for weeks or even months.
Contact a Los Angeles Slip and Fall Lawyer -A lawyer can help you file a claim and negotiate with the employer for fair compensation.
Conclusion
Slip and fall accidents are a common occurrence in the workplace, and can cause serious injury, long-term disability or even death. In California, employers are automatically responsible for any injury that occurs as a result of a workplace fall -regardless of whether or not they are at fault. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule, such as if the employee remain injured as a result of their own negligence. A lawyer can help you file a claim and negotiate with the employer for fair compensation.
