I slipped in the parking lot of my workplace. My neck and back are killing me. I can’t sit at my desk without pain. I haven’t told my manager, yet. I think I need to go to the emergency room. What do I do? No one saw me fall. Can I file for workers’ compensation?
Shannon Warf Kovach, Board Certified WC Specialist At Lewis & Keller
You need to tell your manager about the injury right away. Failing to give your employer notice within 30 days of the date of the injury can cause major headaches in obtaining workers’ compensation benefits. When you do give notice, though, make sure you are very specific about the details surrounding the slip and fall in the parking lot. However, I must warn you that slipping in the parking lot of your workplace does not necessarily mean it rises to a compensable claim for workers’ compensation benefits. There are very specific rules for such accidents and there are not enough details in your question to address whether or not any of them are applicable. Please feel free to contact us for a further evaluation.