Falls Versus Slips and Falls on the Job
Falls can occur at any type of workplace, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and they are also preventable. Yet despite being avoidable, falls occur with frequency and are among the most common types of reported workplace injuries. Some types of industries report more falls than others, especially falls from heights. At the same time, slips and falls (also described commonly as same-level falls) can also result in missed workdays and serious injuries in various industries.
What do you need to know about workplace falls in general? And what are the differences between falls from heights versus same-level falls, or slips and falls? Our Maryland workplace injury lawyers can provide you with general information about fall injuries on the job, and we can speak with you today about getting started on your workers’ compensation claim.
Understanding Falls from Heights Versus Slips and Falls at Workplaces
What is the difference between a fall from heights and a slip and fall accident? In short, falls from heights occur when the worker is elevated above the ground (on a ladder, scaffolding, or a roof, for example) whereas slips and falls, also known as same-level falls, occur when the worker is on the ground level (as a result of a liquid spill or damaged flooring, for example).
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) tracks falls broadly “across all industries,” including both falls from heights and slips and falls. At the same time, the CDC and NIOSH underscore that certain industries are more likely to have workers injured during falls from heights while others are more likely to have workers injured in slips and falls.
Common Industries Where Falls Occur on the Job
What are some of the most common industries or types of jobs where workers get hurt in fall-related accidents? According to the CDC and NIOSH, construction workers and those in the construction industry report the highest number of injuries each year due to falls from heights. When it comes to slips and falls or same-level falls, health care workers, including hospital workers, tend to sustain the highest rates of injury.
Other industries where both types of fall-related accidents are common include but are not limited to:
- Educational services;
- Nursing home and residential care services;
- Building cleaning;
- Maintenance work;
- Material moving; and
- Transportation work.
Given that falls can happen at any type of workplace or in any industry, it is important for any employee who has been injured in a fall to seek advice about obtaining workers’ compensation benefits. You may be able to have your medical care covered while also receiving wage-replacement and disability benefits.
Contact a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Do you need help seeking compensation after a fall injury that has left you unable to work temporarily or permanently? One of the experienced Maryland workers’ compensation lawyers at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC can speak with you today about your workplace injury, and we can begin assisting you with your workers’ compensation claim. Contact us for more information about how we can help you.
Source:
cdc.gov/niosh/falls/about/index.html
