What options do I have if I had a slip and fall on a spill at work?
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What options do I have if I had a slip and fall on a spill at work?
I fell and have been in pain since. I work at national retail store and they never told me that I was able to see their doctor until the 3rd day after the fall. I confirmed that I wanted to see a doctor but nothing was done. I took myself to the ER but now they are refusing to pay the bill. Also, I’m still in pain and they are unsure what they can do since I’ve been to an ER. It happened about 2 weeks ago. I’m still in pain and lost wages.
Asked on January 1, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Iowa
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
The employer has no responsibility to send you to a doctor: you have to look out for your own health. They also are not responsible to pay for your medical bill *unless* they were at fault in causing the accident; however, if no one was at fault, or if you were at fault (for example, you were the employee who should have cleaned up the spill), they are not liable. Being hurt at work does not make the injury the employer's responsibility; again, responsibility or liability is based on fault.
Note that even if the employer were at fault--for example, it was some other employee's responsibility to clean up the spill, but no one ever did--if they voluntarily honor their obligation, you'd have sue them for the money.
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