You slipped on an icy patch in the employee parking lot last week. Now you're sitting at home with a swollen knee while your employer's insurance adjuster questions whether you actually fell on company property. The adjuster suggested you might have slipped somewhere else, and your supervisor mentioned that the parking lot was salted that morning.
Winter conditions are just one of the many slip-and-fall hazards that workers face throughout Abington. When these falls happen at work, you need experienced legal guidance to protect your right to workers' compensation benefits.
Call a workplace slip and fall lawyer in Abington at (267) 626-2973 for a free consultation. Whether you fell on ice, wet floors, or cluttered walkways, Jenifer Kaufman answers your questions and is ready to fight in your corner.
How Kaufman Workers' Compensation Law Assists Injured Abington Workers
Run-of-the-mill legal advice is likely not going to cut it after a workplace fall. Insurance carriers tend to scrutinize these cases more closely than some other injuries, aggressively questioning where falls occurred, what caused them, and whether workers contributed to the accidents. You need an attorney who is prepared for these challenges and won't back down.
Jenifer Kaufman earned her certification as a workers' compensation specialist in 2013, the first year Pennsylvania offered this credential. She renewed her certification in 2018 after demonstrating that more than half of her practice focuses exclusively on helping injured workers pursue benefits.
Our workers' compensation attorney offers a unique option for high-risk workers in Abington. You may sign with Jenifer Kaufman before any injury occurs. She stays on standby with no fees unless you need to file a claim petition or problems arise with your employer's carrier. When issues develop, she responds immediately, protecting your rights from day one.
Contact us now to schedule your free consultation.
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Slip and Fall Injuries and Workers’ Comp Coverage in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's workers' compensation system generally covers workplace falls regardless of who was at fault. Whether you slipped on ice in the parking lot, tripped over boxes in a warehouse aisle, or fell down poorly maintained stairs, you might qualify for benefits if the fall occurred during employment.
Arising Out Of and In the Course Of
For falls to qualify as work-related, they must "arise out of" and occur "in the course of" employment. Some examples of accidents that may qualify include:
- Parking lot falls on employer property during work hours
- Falls during breaks or lunch periods might be covered if they occur on employer premises
- Falls while performing work duties off-site, such as deliveries or client visits
Unfortunately, insurance carriers often dispute coverage in gray areas, arguing that falls occurred outside work activities or on employer property.
Benefits Available for an Abington Work Fall Injury
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits after workplace falls may include medical coverage for emergency room treatment, diagnostic imaging, orthopedic care, physical therapy, surgery, and prescriptions. Wage loss benefits provide two-thirds of your average weekly wage when injuries prevent work. Specific loss benefits offer lump sum payments for permanent injuries to scheduled body parts.
Benefit amounts and duration depend on the severity of your injury and the medical documentation of your work restrictions.
Regardless of who caused your fall, you generally cannot sue your employer even if their negligence created the hazard. Exceptions exist for third-party liability when property owners, maintenance contractors, or equipment manufacturers contributed to dangerous conditions that caused your fall.
Why Slip and Fall Workers' Comp Claims Get Denied
Workers’ compensation carriers heavily scrutinize slip, trip, and fall claims. They may question where the fall occurred, what caused it, and whether the worker contributed to the accident. Preparing for this helps you build a strong, evidence-backed claim from the beginning.
Some strategies insurers deploy to minimize or deny legitimate workplace fall claims include:
- Arguing that workers fell outside work hours or off employer property, even when falls clearly occurred during employment
- Suggesting that distraction, horseplay, or intoxication caused falls rather than workplace hazards, alleging workers were texting, joking with coworkers, or impaired despite Pennsylvania's no-fault system
- Claiming that prior back pain, arthritis, or previous injuries caused current symptoms rather than the workplace fall, even though Pennsylvania law recognizes compensation for work-related aggravation of pre-existing conditions
Our workers' compensation attorney fights wrongful benefit denials with thorough preparation and skilled advocacy. She comes prepared to counter these tactics and protect your rights under Pennsylvania law.
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What to Do After Your Abington Workplace Fall
Prompt action protects your health and your legal rights after a workplace fall. Below are some steps you can take to strengthen your workers' compensation claim and preserve your access to benefits.
Report Your Fall Immediately in Writing
Pennsylvania law requires injured workers to notify their employer within 120 days of discovering a work-related injury. Missing that deadline may jeopardize your right to benefits.
If you notify an employer within 21 days, you increase the likelihood of receiving benefits from the date of your fall, not the date you reported it. You should not wait even if your injury seems minor. Symptoms from falls often worsen over the following days.
While not required, a written report documents that you reported your fall on time and captures the details you provided about how the accident occurred.
Seek Medical Treatment From Authorized Providers
Your employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier maintains a list of approved medical providers in Pennsylvania.
If your employer properly posts and provides a panel list that meets Pennsylvania's legal requirements, you may need to treat with a doctor from that list for the first 90 days after your fall for treatment to be covered. After 90 days, you gain the right to choose any physician you prefer for ongoing care or if your claim is denied.
It is important that you don't delay seeking treatment. Insurance carriers use treatment gaps to argue that injuries weren't serious or work-related.
Document Everything Related to Your Fall and Recovery
Thorough documentation strengthens your claim and provides evidence when insurance carriers dispute coverage. Immediately after your fall, you should gather critical information that might disappear within days, including:
- Photographs of the fall location, hazards, and lighting conditions
- Witness names and contact information
- Itemized medical bills and prescription receipts
- Wage statements showing pre-injury earnings
- All correspondence with the employer and the insurance carrier
These records help your Abington workers' comp lawyer identify gaps in the insurance company's investigation, provide a solid foundation to challenge denials, and build a strong case if disputes arise during the process.
Track Your Symptoms and Work Restrictions
Try to keep track of any symptoms you experience and how your fall injury affects your daily life. Note your pain levels, mobility limitations, difficulties with stairs or walking, balance problems, and any other challenges with regular activities.
Ask your treating physician to provide written documentation of all work restrictions. These might include lifting limits, restrictions on climbing, standing time limits, or prohibitions on working at heights.
If your employer tries to pressure you to perform tasks beyond your restrictions or retaliates against you for filing a claim, this documentation becomes crucial to protecting your benefits.
Call an Abington Workplace Fall Attorney at Kaufman Workers' Compensation Law
Consult with our Pennsylvania workers' compensation attorney before accepting any settlement offers or signing documents from the insurance carrier. Jenifer Kaufman can review your situation, examine the circumstances of your fall, file a claim on your behalf, and take on the insurance company if it denies your claim.
FAQ for Abington Workplace Slip and Fall Claims
What If My Fall Happened in the Parking Lot?
Falls in employer-owned parking lots during work hours may qualify for workers' compensation coverage because you're on employer property performing work-related activities. However, insurance carriers sometimes dispute parking lot falls, arguing that they occurred outside the course of employment. This makes documentation of your work schedule and the location of the fall critical.
Can My Employer Blame Me for the Fall and Deny My Claim?
Pennsylvania's workers' compensation system provides benefits regardless of fault, so even if you were distracted or wearing inappropriate footwear, you might still qualify for coverage. However, insurance carriers might argue that horseplay, intoxication, or intentional self-harm caused falls. In these situations, it is crucial to have legal representation.
Can I Sue Someone Other Than My Employer After a Workplace Fall?
You may pursue a civil lawsuit against negligent third parties whose actions contributed to your fall, such as property owners, maintenance contractors, or cleaning companies. These third-party claims are separate from workers' compensation. You can pursue comprehensive damages, including pain and suffering, while still receiving workers' comp.
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You Don’t Need to Face the Insurance Company Alone
A regular day at work quickly changes after a slip on an icy sidewalk or a trip over unsecured electrical cords. We know that bills pile up, you’re hurting, and you are not sure what is going to happen next. That’s why at Kaufman Workers' Compensation Law, we shoulder the legal burden so Abington workers can focus on recovery and getting back to their daily lives.
While we cannot guarantee outcomes, we can offer you a clear plan and answer the difficult questions about your workers' compensation benefits. Contact our Abington workplace slip and fall lawyer now for a free consultation.