A fall at work is often dismissed as a simple accident, but the reality for the injured worker is far from simple. Fall work injuries are among the most common and yet most devastating incidents that can occur on the job, particularly in industries like construction, warehousing, and maintenance. In an instant, a slip from a ladder, a trip over an unmarked hazard, or a plunge from an elevated platform can result in life-altering harm. For workers in Texas whose employers have opted out of the state’s workers’ compensation system—known as non-subscribers—the path to securing medical care and lost wages is not automatic. It requires navigating a legal claim. If you are dealing with the painful consequences of a workplace fall, understanding the serious nature of your injury, the common causes, and your potential legal rights is the first step toward securing your future.
At Armstrong Personal Injury Law, Warren Armstrong focuses on assisting injured workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who have been hurt in preventable workplace falls. With an understanding of the unique challenges posed by non-subscriber employment claims, the firm works to investigate the cause of the fall, identify liable parties, and build a case for compensation that addresses the full scope of a client’s losses. This guide aims to provide comprehensive information on fall work injuries, from their causes and consequences to the practical and legal steps that can follow.
Common Causes of Workplace Fall Injuries
Falls can happen in any work environment, from an office to an industrial construction site. However, they frequently stem from specific, preventable hazards that an employer or property owner has a responsibility to address. Understanding these common causes can help clarify how a fall occurred and whether negligent maintenance or unsafe practices played a role. Some of the most frequent scenarios leading to serious fall work injuries include:
- Unsafe ladder use. This encompasses ladders that are defective, poorly maintained, or used on unstable surfaces. It also includes workers not being trained on proper ladder safety or being pressured to use a ladder in lieu of safer equipment.
- Slippery or uneven walking surfaces. Spills, wet floors, recently waxed or polished surfaces, loose mats, cracked pavement, and debris-cluttered walkways are major trip and slip hazards that are often not properly marked or cleared.
- Unprotected edges and openings. Missing guardrails, inadequate safety nets, and uncovered holes or floor openings on roofs, mezzanines, and stairwells pose a direct risk of a catastrophic plunge.
- Unstable working surfaces. This includes scaffolding that is improperly erected or secured, shaky platforms, and unstable temporary work surfaces that can collapse under a worker’s weight.
- Inadequate fall protection. Employers may fail to provide required personal fall arrest systems (like harnesses and lifelines) or fail to enforce their use, leaving workers at elevated heights with no safety backup.
- Poor lighting. Insufficient lighting in stairways, hallways, storage areas, and worksites can hide hazards and dramatically increase the risk of a misstep and fall.
When a fall occurs because an employer or property owner neglected these basic safety duties, they may bear legal responsibility for the resulting injuries. A thorough investigation is essential to pinpoint the cause.
The Severe and Lasting Consequences of Fall Injuries
The impact of a workplace fall extends far beyond the initial shock and embarrassment. The physical forces involved can cause severe, complex, and permanent damage to the body. The consequences often ripple out, affecting a victim’s financial stability, mental health, and family life. Unlike some workplace incidents, fall work injuries frequently lead to long-term or lifelong challenges.
- Orthopedic trauma. Fractures are extremely common, particularly in the wrists, arms, ankles, hips, and spine. These breaks can be simple or compound, often requiring surgical intervention with plates, screws, or rods. Healing can take a long time, and some fractures may lead to permanent stiffness, arthritis, or misalignment.
- Spinal cord injuries and back damage. A fall can herniate discs, fracture vertebrae, or in the worst cases, damage the spinal cord itself. This can lead to chronic, debilitating back pain, limited mobility, or even partial or complete paralysis, fundamentally altering a person’s independence and quality of life.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Striking the head during a fall, even from a standing height, can cause concussions or more severe TBIs. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and personality changes may not be immediately apparent but can persist for months or years, affecting cognitive function and emotional well-being.
- Soft tissue and internal damage. The sudden impact can tear ligaments, tendons, and muscles (like rotator cuff or knee injuries), causing persistent pain and weakness. It can also cause internal bleeding or organ damage, which can be life-threatening if not diagnosed promptly.
- Financial and emotional toll. The physical injuries directly drive financial strain through mounting medical bills, lost wages during recovery, and potentially lost future earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job. Concurrently, the pain, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment in life create a significant emotional burden for the injured worker and their family.
Understanding the full, long-term impact of these injuries is crucial when seeking compensation. It ensures that a settlement or award accounts for not just today’s medical bill, but for tomorrow’s therapy, adaptive equipment, and altered life plans.
Your Legal Rights After a Fall Injury at Work in Texas
In Texas, the legal avenue available to an injured worker depends largely on whether their employer participates in the state workers’ compensation system. Warren Armstrong and Armstrong Personal Injury Law focus their practice on assisting workers whose employers are non-subscribers. This is a critical distinction that shapes your rights and strategy.
Employers who are non-subscribers have chosen not to carry workers’ compensation insurance. While this strips employers of certain legal defenses, it also means there is no automatic, administrative benefits system for injured employees. Instead, your right to recover medical expenses and lost income hinges on successfully pursuing a personal injury lawsuit where you must prove the employer’s negligence directly caused your fall work injuries. This path does not have the same exclusive remedy limitations as workers’ comp, meaning you may be able to seek compensation for a wider range of damages, including full pain and suffering. However, it also requires meeting the legal burden of proof.
Regardless of your employer’s insurance status, you generally have the right to a safe workplace. Employers and property owners have a legal duty to maintain premises free of unreasonable hazards, provide adequate safety equipment, and offer proper training. When they fail in this duty and a fall occurs, they may be held liable. It is important to consult with an attorney who understands these nuances to correctly identify your employer’s status and build the appropriate claim.
Critical Steps to Take After a Fall at Work
The actions you take immediately after a fall can significantly influence the strength of a future claim for compensation. Prioritizing your health and protecting your legal rights are both essential. Here is a guideline on what to do following a workplace fall:
- Seek medical attention immediately. This is the absolute priority. Even if you feel “okay,” adrenaline can mask serious symptoms. A professional medical evaluation creates an essential record linking your injuries directly to the workplace incident. Follow all treatment plans and keep detailed records.
- Report the incident officially. Notify your supervisor, manager, or safety officer about the fall as soon as possible. Request to fill out an official accident or incident report. Be factual and detailed in your description of where, when, and how the fall happened, but avoid speculating on fault or signing any statements about the cause without legal advice.
- Document everything you can. If you are able, use your phone to take pictures or videos of the exact location where you fell, including any visible hazards like spills, uneven flooring, lack of railings, or defective equipment. Get contact information for any coworkers who witnessed the fall. Start a journal to document your pain levels, medical appointments, and how the injuries affect your daily life.
- Be cautious with communications. It is advisable to limit discussions about the incident to your doctor and your attorney. Avoid providing detailed statements to insurance adjusters from your company or their carrier before consulting with legal counsel, as these statements can later be used to minimize your claim.
- Consult with a Texas fall injury lawyer. Before accepting any settlement offer or signing any paperwork from your employer regarding the injury, speak with an attorney experienced in workplace fall work injuries. An attorney can assess the true value of your claim and handle negotiations on your behalf.
How Armstrong Personal Injury Law Can Help with Your Fall Injury Claim
Navigating a claim against a non-subscribing employer after a workplace fall is a complex legal process. Warren Armstrong at Armstrong Personal Injury Law provides focused representation to injured workers in Dallas-Fort Worth, managing the legal details so you can focus on your recovery. The firm’s approach is built on a thorough investigation, a clear understanding of your losses, and dedicated advocacy.
- A meticulous investigation. The firm begins by securing all relevant evidence, from incident reports and safety records to witness statements and scene documentation. Consulting with safety experts may be necessary to establish how and why the preventable fall occurred.
- Identifying all responsible parties. Liability may extend beyond your direct employer. The firm works to identify any other entities—such as property owners, general contractors, or equipment manufacturers—whose negligence contributed to the unsafe conditions that led to your fall work injuries.
- Comprehensive damage documentation. Fair compensation requires a full account of your losses. This includes compiling all medical records and bills, calculating lost wages and future lost earning capacity, and meticulously documenting the physical pain, emotional distress, and lifestyle limitations caused by your injuries.
- Skilled negotiation with insurers. Warren Armstrong prepares a compelling demand package and engages in direct negotiations with insurance adjusters for the employer. The goal is to secure a settlement that adequately covers both your economic losses and the non-economic impact of the injury, without the immediate need for litigation.
- Trial-ready litigation preparation. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the firm is prepared to advocate for you in court. This involves working with medical and financial experts to build a persuasive case for a judge or jury, ensuring your right to seek full compensation is preserved.
- Guidance and support throughout. Armstrong Personal Injury Law aims to provide clear communication and reliable support from start to finish. You will be kept informed of developments and your options, with the firm handling the legal burdens to provide you with stability during a difficult time.