Fort Smith ER Workers Slip and Fall on Ice Injuries
Emergency room (ER) workers play a crucial role in protecting the health of others after an injury or illness. When icy conditions create hazards on steps and walkways leading into the workplace, however, ER workers may become ER patients.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall while trying to enter or leave the ER in which you work, talk to an experienced Arkansas injury attorney today. The team at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield is here to help.
What if I Was Injured at Work, But I Wasn’t Clocked In?
Picture this: As you’re walking from the parking area to the door of your workplace, you slip on ice, suffering an injury. Or perhaps conditions become icy while you were working, and you only discover the ice when you slip and fall as you’re heading to your car after a long shift.
Injuries during your work hours are typically covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Injuries that happen at your workplace but outside your recorded work hours, however, can be tougher to place.
Two rules are often cited to explain why workers can’t recover damages for a slip and fall on ice as they’re entering or leaving work. Both rules have many exceptions, however. Arkansas courts usually consider them on a case-by-case basis. For this reason, it’s important to consult an attorney rather than assume the rules automatically prevent you from recovering compensation.
Open and Obvious Rule
The first is the “open and obvious rule,” which states that a property owner isn’t liable for another person’s injuries if the condition that caused the injuries was “open and obvious.”
Exceptions to this rule apply. For instance, the property owner may still be liable if there was no practical way for you to avoid the condition and also report to or leave work on time一even if the ice was easy to see.
Going and Coming Rule
The “going and coming” rule applies to workers’ compensation claims. It states that workers can’t receive workers’ compensation benefits for injuries suffered while they are coming to the workplace or leaving the workplace.
Like the open and obvious rule, the going and coming rule has several exceptions. For instance, the rule may not apply if you were doing something essential to your job, moving work-related materials, or if you couldn’t enter or leave the workplace without encountering the condition that caused your fall.
It’s easy to become discouraged when you’re already struggling to recover from a serious injury. Don’t make decisions about your case until you speak to an experienced Arkansas personal injury lawyer who can answer your specific questions.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries and Required Medical Treatments
Emergency department workers are often more familiar with the types of injuries caused by slip and fall accidents than the average person. Chances are good that you’ve seen patients injured in falls during your career. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall, you have both firsthand and professional experience with the types of injuries these accidents can cause.
Slip and fall injuries are one of the four most common types of workplace injuries, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Injuries that often result from slip and fall accidents include:
- Broken bones. Bone fractures can cause intense pain, swelling, and other symptoms, They may require surgery to treat. Screws, rods, and other hardware implanted during surgery may require additional surgeries for removal, or they may be permanent. Ongoing problems with pain management, mobility, and other problems can result.
- Head, neck, and back injuries. ER workers are always on the lookout for signs of head, neck, and back injuries, especially brain and spinal cord injuries. ER, staff know how dangerous these injuries can be. Even if the brain and spinal cord are unharmed, bone fractures, strains, sprains, herniated discs, and other injuries can cause significant pain, loss of mobility, and other problems.
Talk to our Fort Smith Slip and Fall on Ice Attorneys Today
A slip and fall can take an ER staff member from healthcare provider to patient in an instant. The experience can upend your life, leaving you frustrated, fearful, and struggling to recover from serious injuries.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Talk to the experienced Arkansas personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. today. Our goal is to provide determined, relentless representation to protect each of our clients after a serious injury. To learn more, reach out to us today through our website’s chat options or call (479) 361-3575 to schedule a free, confidential case review.