Will Workers’ Compensation Cover a Slip and Fall in a Parking Lot at Work?

Slip and fall accidents are among the leading causes of serious injuries in the United States. The National Floor Safety Institute reports that more than 1.1 million people seek emergency medical treatment for slip and fall accident injuries every year. Parking lots are high risk areas for slip and falls—particularly in areas like Wisconsin, where winter weather conditions can make outdoor parking lots especially hazardous. This raises an important question: If you are hurt in a workplace parking lot slip and fall accident, can you still recover workers’ compensation benefits?

Many Parking Lot Slip and Falls are Covered by Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation

A slip and fall accident that occurred in a workplace parking lot may be covered by workers’ compensation—although there are some complicating factors. As a rule, workers’ comp does not cover injuries that happened before an employee clocked in or after an employee already clocked out.

Parking lot accidents are often an exception. One of the key questions needed to be answered is: Where is the parking lot? If the slip and fall accident took place in the employer’s designated parking lot or in a parking lot that was in the immediate vicinity of the employer’s premises, then Wisconsin law considers that accident to have occurred in the course of employment (Wis. Stat. § 102.03(1)(c)2). As such, workers’ comp coverage would apply.

Workplace Parking Lot Injuries are Complicated—A Lawyer Can Help

For injured workers, parking lot accident claims, including parking lot slip and falls, can be confusing. In far too many cases, these types of workers’ comp claims are unfairly denied. Do not assume you are ineligible for workers’ comp simply because your injury occurred in the parking lot. A lawyer can help. Among other things, our Milwaukee, WI workers’ compensation attorneys are prepared to:

• Conduct a free, in-depth review of your parking lot injury claim;
• Answer your questions and explain your legal rights under Wisconsin law;
• Investigate the parking lot injuries—securing all relevant evidence; and
• Help you explore the available options for financial recovery, potentially including bringing a workers’ compensation claim, filing a personal injury lawsuit, or both.

Injured workers deserve fully personalized legal representation. At Gillick, Wicht, Gillick & Graf, we are the Injured Worker’s Law™ Firm. Our Milwaukee workers’ comp lawyers will protect your rights and help you maximize your work injury benefits.

Were You Injured in a Slip and Fall at Work?

We can help. At Gillick, Wicht, Gillick & Graf, our Wisconsin workers’ compensation lawyers are strong, successful advocates for injured workers. If you or your loved one was injured in a parking lot slip and fall accident, we can help. To set up a free review of your work injury claim, please contact us today. From our law offices in Milwaukee, we represent injured workers throughout Southern Wisconsin, including in West Allis, Waukesha, Oak Creek and Menomonee Falls.