If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 for a head injury, confusion, loss of consciousness, a possible broken bone, or if you cannot get up.
- 2Before the spill is cleaned, photograph the floor, what was spilled, any wet floor sign or mat, and your shoes. Ask a coworker if you cannot.
- 3Tell your supervisor or manager right away. Report the fall in writing before the end of your shift and keep a copy.
- 4Write down what the liquid was, if you know: water from a mop, grease, ice from a machine, a leak, a dropped drink, or tracked-in rain.
- 5Note whether there was a warning sign, how long the spill may have been there and who saw you fall.
- 6Even if you feel okay, pay attention to new pain over the next day or two.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Wet floor falls happen in restaurant kitchens, grocery aisles, hospital hallways, hotel lobbies and restrooms being cleaned. Many people get up quickly out of embarrassment and only later notice a sore back, knee or wrist. Report it even if it seemed like a small slip. Dish pits, walk-in coolers, produce misters, freshly mopped hallways, hotel pool decks and restroom floors are common spots.
Your report should describe the floor, the spill and what you were doing, like carrying a tray, pushing a cart or walking quickly to a patient. Keep it factual. In many states, workers' compensation does not depend on whose fault the spill was, though rules vary. If you are a housekeeper or janitor who was mopping, that does not mean the fall was your fault. Describe what happened.
Reporting and filing deadlines are set by each state and can differ a lot. Check with your state's workers' compensation agency and your employer soon rather than waiting to see how you feel. If you notice more pain in your back, hip or wrist the day after, add it to your report.
Keep the photos, your report, names of witnesses and all medical records. If a leaking machine or roof caused the puddle, note it; ask whether repair records exist. If there is a camera in the area, ask whether footage can be saved.
Getting medical care
Slip and falls often cause back strains, knee injuries, wrist injuries from catching yourself, and sometimes head injuries. A licensed clinician decides what care fits after an exam. Follow-up may include spine care, orthopedics or hand and upper extremity care. Mention every place that hurts, including your tailbone, hip and wrists, and whether you hit your head. Pain in one place can distract from another injury.
Tell the clinician you slipped at work. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your supervisor or the adjuster. If imaging or physical therapy is recommended, ask how approvals work.
When a prescription is written, check with the pharmacy and adjuster about how work-injury prescriptions are covered. Home delivery is often available.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- Your claim is denied or you are blamed for the fall because of your shoes.
- You broke a bone, hurt your back badly or hit your head.
- A cleaning contractor or another company created the hazard.
- You are discouraged from reporting the fall.
- Fear of falling again is affecting your work or daily life.
- You cannot return to a job that keeps you on your feet.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow your care plan and keep notes on which tasks are hard, like standing for long periods, kneeling or carrying trays. Falls can also shake your confidence on slick floors. Non-slip shoes and mats may help; ask your employer what is available.
Ask for written restrictions and share them with your employer. Ask whether seated or lighter tasks are available. In restaurants, that could be host or register work; in hospitals, desk tasks; in hotels, linen folding or front desk.
Stay in touch with your supervisor and adjuster. If you notice new symptoms, like headaches days after the fall, tell your clinician. Keep copies of each work status note.
Questions to ask
- Can photos of the spill be saved, and was there a warning sign?
- Who is responsible for cleaning this area?
- Which clinic should I go to first?
- Doctor, should I be checked for a head injury?
- What restrictions should I follow at work?
- How are work-injury prescriptions handled, and can they be delivered?
- Attorney, does a cleaning contractor's role change anything?
- Are non-slip mats or shoes available for this area?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I slipped on a wet floor at work?
Check yourself before getting up, and call 911 for a head injury or if you cannot get up. Photograph the floor before it is mopped. Then report it to your supervisor and in writing.
Is a slip on a wet floor at work covered by workers' comp?
It may be, depending on your state and the facts. Falls on the job are generally the kind of event workers' comp addresses. Report it promptly.
Does it matter whose fault the spill was?
In many states workers' comp does not depend on fault, though rules vary. Describe the spill clearly in your report. If another company caused it, there may be other questions.
What if there was a wet floor sign?
A sign may come up, but it does not automatically decide a claim. Describe what you saw and did. Ask questions if it becomes an issue.
My back hurts the day after I slipped. Can I still report it?
Yes, report it as soon as you notice. Pain after a fall often shows up the next day. Explain the timeline.
Can I be blamed for my shoes?
Footwear sometimes comes up in fall claims. How it is treated depends on your state. People often consult an attorney if it becomes a reason for denial.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).