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If I Fall at a Coworking space, Can I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?


If I Fall at a Coworking space Can I File a Workers Compensation Claim liability lawyer attorney compensation

Are you a remote worker or independent contractor who fell down and hurt yourself at a coworking space? The concept of coworking, meaning sharing an office space or building with people from other companies, is a popular arrangement with many benefits. Though each office space provider has their own system, the arrangement normally involves signing up for a membership plan with a company like WeWork. For a monthly fee, you can rent a private office, cubicle, conference room, or another fully equipped space that meets your work needs.

Some of these spaces are used by workers that travel extensively as part of their job. But most coworking space renters are digital nomads, independent contractors or people that work remotely. Regardless of where you fall on this spectrum, it’s essential to understand your rights when it comes to injuries due to a workplace accident. For example, can you file a worker’s compensation claim if you slipped and fell down at a coworking space? If you are an independent contractor that had a trip and fall at a rented office space, what legal actions are available to you?

The coworking space injury lawyers of DTLA are here to guide you through the legal system if you fell down from negligent conditions on the property. Contact us as soon as possible and talk to one of our legal experts during a free consultation.

If I Fall at a Coworking space Can I File a Workers Compensation Claim sue lawyer attorney
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Fall Accident Hazards at a Coworking Space Facility

Like any office building, coworking space facilities can have a number of hazard on the premises that may result in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident. Possible conditions that can cause people to fall down unexpectedly include:

  • Water, coffee, and other liquid substances on the floor
  • Cords and wires that are not properly secured
  • Appliances, like fridges and coffee makers that have leaks
  • Loose steps in staircases
  • Poor lighting
  • Curled up edges on carpets and rugs
  • Broken handrails or ones that are too wide or narrow
  • Tools, boxes, and other items left out in hallways or high-traffic areas
  • Uneven flooring
  • Debris in the parking lot
  • Weather conditions like ice and snow tracked into the building
  • Cracked or broken concrete on sidewalks
  • Inadequate handicap rails in bathroom stalls
  • Not having warning signs around freshly waxed or mopped floors (Wet Floor, for example)
  • Failure to replace old and worn anti-slip mats in entryways / exits
  • Not repairing holes or gaps in the floor

Can I File for Workers’ Comp if I Fell at a Coworking Space?

The answer depends on many factors, like whether you are classified by your employer as an employee or an independent contractor. If you are an employee, you should be eligible for workers’ comp, even if you work from home or at a workspace rental facility. If you’re not sure about your status, you can check the terms of your work contract or talk to a workplace accident lawyer at our office.

Overall, we would say that the majority of people using rented office spaces are independent contractors, and these individuals do not qualify for compensation under the state’s workers’ compensation laws. However, you can file a claim against the facility where you had a slip and fall or trip and fall accident. This is based on premises liability, which is a legal concept that obligates owners to provide their guests with a reasonably safe environment. This includes cleaning, removing hazards, and making repairs for the sake of preventing fall-related incidents.

Please note, however, that the cowork space provider may not be the only party that can be sued when someone is injured. What if, for example, there was a separate property management company that takes care of cleaning and repairs? In that case, this is the company that you may need to go after if you were hurt from slipping on a puddle or water on the floor.

Can I File a Third Party Lawsuit Even if I am Eligible for Worker’s Comp?

Yes, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit against someone other than your employer at the same time that you apply for workers’ compensation. This is fairly common with workplace injury cases, where it’s clear that the accident was due to negligence by a property owner, product manufacturer, construction company, or another party that failed to take reasonable care to protect you and others from an accident. This includes suing WeWork, Premier Spaces, Serendipity Labs, or any other coworking facility, which is an option we can explore with you during a free case evaluation.

Average Value of a Coworking Space Fall Accident Claims

Slip and fall and trip and fall claims can have values ranging from $10,000 to over $2,000,000, so there’s no such thing as an average settlement value at the end of the day. Though many factors are used to come up with a lawsuit value, the extent of your injuries and their impact on your personal and professional life are the most important issues. Due to the injuries that are often associated with fall accidents, most of our clients receive between $75,000 to $1,500,000 from a coworking space trip and fall or slip and fall lawsuit. For more information on the amount you are entitled to as a fall injury accident victim, contact the offices of DTLA Law Group.

How Long it Takes to Settle a Fall Accident Lawsuit

Timelines to settle a fall injury case may be anywhere from 3 months to over 2 years. However, it’s been out experience that most of these lawsuits take at least 6 months, and around 12 to 18 months if you have serious injuries. In the event you have severe, disabling injuries, it will probably take more than 2 years before an adequate settlement is reached with the defendant’s insurance company, especially if there are multiple defendants that share blame for the incident. If reaching a settlement is not possible after so many tries, we may have to schedule a court date and prepare for a trial. Only around 5% of all coworking space fall injury claims are taken to trial, so it’s unlikely that your case will get to this point. But if it does, obtaining your payment from the defendant can take over 3 years. .  

Statute of Limitations to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

If you qualify for benefits under workers’ comp, you have 30 days to initiate a claim by reporting the accident to your employer. Most people do this immediately, and we would recommend doing so unless you have potentially life-threatening injuries. In that case, go to the emergency room and get yourself taken care of first; then, contact your employer to let them know what happened.

Once you receive the forms and instructions for a WC claim from your employer, you must submit the required information to the insurance company within 1 year of the accident. If you fail to do so, you will lose the right to payments for your medical bills and lost wages from the state.

To ensure that your WC claim for a slip and fall or trip and fall is filed on time, seek help from a work accident injury attorney at our office.

If I Fall at a Coworking space Can I File a Workers Compensation Claim liability lawyer attorney compensation

How Much Time Do I have to File a Lawsuit?

As we mentioned before, those who are independent contractors may have grounds to sue the office space provider or another entity for the harm they suffered. In the case of a personal injury claim, you are given 2 years from the accident date to file a compensation claim. While 2 years may seem like a long time, it’s easier than you think to miss the deadline for a lawsuit when you are dealing with painful injuries and expensive medical treatments. Furthermore, it’s best to initiate a claim as soon as possible, thereby putting yourself one step closer to recovering your monetary losses. Our coworking space accident lawyers are with you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Zero Fee Guarantee

Our team of slip and fall and trip and fall attorneys are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you got hurt from a dangerous condition at an office space rental facility. Along with skilled and aggressive representation, we are here to protect your finances by offering a Zero Fee Guarantee. This is a system where you can hire us for an accident case at no upfront cost. All of our fees are billed to the negligent party and recovered as a part of your compensation award. In essence, our payment is contingent on winning your case; otherwise, we make $0 and you walk away without spending a penny.

Our law firm can also help you out with a free second opinion on an existing coworking space accident claim. Perhaps you need clarification on the laws or the legal options that are available to you, like whether you should settle your case or take your chances in court. Or, you feel dissatisfied with the lawyer who is currently representing you and need information on switching attorneys. We are happy to review your case and give you an honest assessment, completely free of charge.

Our law firm is ready to hear your story and be a part of your journey to recovery. Contact us today and schedule a free case review.


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