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September 18, 2025

Slip and Fall at Work in Riverside: Can You Sue Your Employer?

A simple slip on a wet floor or uneven surface might not seem like a big deal—until it happens at work and leaves you seriously injured. Whether it’s a fall near a loading dock, in a restaurant kitchen, at a medical facility, or even in a quiet office hallway, these accidents can result in broken bones, back injuries, head trauma, and time away from work.

In Riverside and throughout Southern California, slip and fall accidents are among the most common workplace injuries. They often occur in busy warehouses, fast-paced retail environments, hospital corridors, and office buildings—settings that might seem safe at first glance but can quickly become hazardous without proper safety protocols in place.

That brings up an important and often confusing question for injured workers: Can you sue your employer if you slip and fall at work in California?

The answer depends on the circumstances. In most cases, you’ll be directed toward California’s workers’ compensation system, which provides medical care and wage replacement benefits. But there are limited exceptions where an employee might be allowed to file a lawsuit directly against their employer—or pursue compensation from a third party who contributed to the unsafe conditions.

Workers’ Compensation: The Primary Path for Most Work Injuries

In most situations, workers’ compensation is considered the exclusive legal remedy for work-related injuries. This means that in exchange for guaranteed benefits, you cannot sue your employer directly, even if unsafe conditions contributed to your fall.

In California, nearly every employer is required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance—even if they only have one employee. This system is designed to protect workers from the financial burden of job-related injuries, including slip and fall accidents, and ensure timely access to medical care.

One of the biggest advantages of workers’ comp is that it’s a “no-fault” system. That means you do not need to prove that your employer was negligent or did anything wrong. As long as the injury happened during the course of your employment, you’re likely entitled to benefits—even if the fall was partly your fault.

Benefits Available Through Workers’ Comp

Here’s what you may be entitled to if your slip and fall is approved as a workers’ comp claim:

  • Medical Care: 100% of your necessary and reasonable medical treatment is covered—no co-pays or deductibles. This includes emergency care, follow-ups, physical therapy, surgery, and medications.
  • Temporary Disability Payments: If your injury prevents you from working, you may receive two-thirds of your average weekly wages while you recover.
  • Permanent Disability: If your injury results in long-term or permanent impairment, you may be eligible for additional compensation based on your level of disability.
  • Job Retraining (Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher): If you’re unable to return to your old position, you may qualify for a voucher to pay for retraining or education to help you find a new career path.
  • Death Benefits: In tragic cases where a slip and fall leads to death, workers’ comp provides benefits to the worker’s spouse, children, or dependents—including burial expenses and ongoing financial support.

Can You Ever Sue Your Employer for a Workplace Slip and Fall?

In most California workplace injury cases—including slip and falls—you cannot sue your employer directly. That’s because workers’ compensation is considered the exclusive remedy under state law. It’s a trade-off: in exchange for guaranteed benefits, you give up the right to sue for negligence.

However, there are two major exceptions where you may be allowed to take legal action outside of the workers’ comp system and file a civil lawsuit against your employer.

1. Employer’s Willful Misconduct or Intentional Harm

If your employer acted in a way that was knowingly dangerous or intended to cause harm, California law may allow you to sue. This goes beyond ordinary negligence—it requires proof of willful or egregious misconduct.

Examples may include:

  • Forcing employees to work on broken ladders or unsafe flooring despite known risks
  • Disabling or removing safety guards from machinery
  • Covering up hazardous conditions (e.g., spills, electrical issues) instead of correcting them
  • Intimidating workers into staying silent about safety violations

2. Lack of Workers’ Compensation Insurance

California law requires nearly all employers—even small businesses and part-time employers—to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer is uninsured, they lose their legal protections under the workers’ comp system, and you may have the right to sue them directly in civil court.

A civil lawsuit in this situation could allow you to recover:

  • Pain and Suffering – For the physical pain and emotional toll caused by the injury
  • Emotional Distress – For anxiety, trauma, or depression following the accident
  • Future Medical Expenses – Long-term rehab, surgery, or treatment beyond what workers’ comp may cover
  • Other Economic Damages – Including full lost wages, diminished earning capacity, or transportation expenses

When Can You Sue a Third Party After a Slip and Fall?

You may have a third-party case if your injury was caused by someone other than your employer or a co-worker, such as:

  • Property Owner – If your employer leases their space in Riverside and the building owner failed to maintain the premises (e.g., broken steps, uneven flooring, water leaks), they could be held liable.
  • Cleaning Company – If an outside janitorial service left wet floors without warning signs or used unsafe chemicals that caused a slick surface, you may be able to sue that contractor directly.
  • Construction or Maintenance Crews – Contractors working in or around your building who leave hazards behind (cords, tools, debris, scaffolding) may be responsible if their negligence leads to a fall.
  • Equipment or Flooring Manufacturers – If a chair collapsed, flooring lifted, or an anti-slip mat failed due to a design or manufacturing defect, a product liability claim could be possible.

What to Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall at Work

Report the Injury to Your Employer

Under California workers’ compensation law, you must notify your employer within 30 days of your injury—or from the date you realized it was work-related.

Even if the injury seems minor, don’t delay. Failing to report the incident in time can result in your claim being denied.

Tip: Report it in writing whenever possible (email, text, or HR form), and keep a copy for your records.

Seek Medical Treatment

Your employer is required to authorize medical treatment through a doctor in their Medical Provider Network (MPN). If it's an emergency, go to the nearest hospital or urgent care facility—your health comes first.

Be sure to tell the provider that the injury occurred at work so the proper documentation is created.

  • Follow all medical advice
  • Attend all scheduled appointments
  • Keep copies of your records and any work restrictions issued

Document the Scene

Evidence can disappear quickly—especially in a workplace that wants to clean up or fix the hazard fast.

Be sure to:

  • Take clear photos or video of the exact hazard that caused your fall—wet floors, loose cords, poor lighting, broken steps, etc.
  • Get witness information — names and contact details of coworkers or customers who saw what happened
  • File an internal incident report, if your workplace has a reporting system, and request a copy

Speak to an Attorney

Even if workers’ comp seems straightforward, many slip and fall cases involve unsafe conditions, policy violations, or third-party negligence. An experienced attorney can:

  • Help determine if you have a third-party claim
  • Make sure your injury is properly reported and documented
  • Push back against delayed or denied workers’ comp benefits
  • Ensure evidence is preserved before it's lost or cleaned up

Slip and Fall at Work in Riverside? Know Your Rights Before You Sign Anything.

A workplace slip and fall can change your life in an instant—causing pain, lost income, and uncertainty about your future. If you’ve been injured on the job in Riverside, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, and in some situations, even more through third-party or civil claims.

While California law typically prevents you from suing your employer directly, exceptions do exist—and third-party liability claims are often overlooked by injured workers. Understanding the full scope of your legal options is essential before accepting a quick settlement or assuming workers’ comp is your only path forward.

At Tim D. Wright Law, we’re committed to helping Riverside workers get the medical care, income protection, and justice they deserve. We’ll help you identify all responsible parties, navigate the workers’ compensation system, and pursue additional compensation when the law allows.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

📍 Workers’ Comp Office – Van Nuys
16555 Sherman Way, Suite B2
Van Nuys, CA 91406

📍 Personal Injury Office – Burbank
1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302
Burbank, CA 91506

📞 Phone: (818) 428-1080 or (323) 379-9995
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com

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