If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 for a head injury with confusion, repeated vomiting, a worsening headache, slurred speech or passing out, or for a bone that looks out of place.
- 2If you hit your head, do not drive yourself home or to the clinic. Ask a coworker or family member to take you.
- 3Before anyone tidies up, photograph the cords: where they ran, whether they crossed a walkway or doorway, and whether they were taped down or covered.
- 4Tell your manager or HR right away, then report the fall in writing and keep a copy.
- 5Write down what you were doing, such as walking to a meeting while reading your phone, carrying a laptop or a box of files, or stepping back from a whiteboard.
- 6Note who saw the fall or helped you up.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Trips over power strips, charging cables, extension cords and computer wiring are some of the most common falls in offices and classrooms. They tend to happen in places people do not think of as dangerous, so they are easy to brush off. The usual injuries are knees that hit the floor, wrists bent back from catching yourself, and heads that strike a desk edge. Any of these can turn out to be more than a bruise.
Your report should say exactly where the cord was, what it was connected to and, if you know, how long it had been there. A cord temporarily run across a hallway for a presentation, a space heater under a desk, or a classroom projector cable are all worth naming.
Deadlines to report and to file vary by state. Office workers sometimes wait because the fall felt embarrassing, but it is better to report it the same day and check with your state's workers' compensation agency and HR for the rules.
Keep the photos, your written report, any reply from HR or facilities, and every medical record. If symptoms appear later, like a headache that will not go away, add a dated note.
Getting medical care
A licensed clinician can examine your knee, wrist or head and decide what care or imaging fits. Wrist injuries from catching a fall can include fractures that feel like sprains, and concussion symptoms can show up hours later. Follow-up might involve orthopedics, hand and upper extremity care or concussion care.
Tell the clinician that you fell at work. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask HR or the adjuster before or soon after the first visit.
If medication is prescribed, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery is often available, which helps if you have been told not to drive.
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
- You have a concussion with headaches, memory or concentration problems that affect your work.
- Your claim is denied because an office fall is treated as too minor to be a work injury.
- A wrist or knee injury needs surgery or keeps you from typing, standing or walking normally.
- You are treated differently after reporting.
- Fear of falling or anxiety after the injury is affecting your life.
- The building is managed by a landlord or a contractor ran the cords, which may raise third-party questions.
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 clinician's plan. With a concussion, that may include limits on screens, reading or long meetings, which can be hard in an office job. Ask for those limits in writing.
Ask your manager about temporary changes: a reduced schedule, extra breaks, a different desk, voice-to-text tools if your wrist is injured, or remote work if your clinician agrees. Put requests in writing.
Ask facilities to move, bundle or cover the cords so no one else trips. Keep your manager and the adjuster updated after each appointment.
Questions to ask
- Can facilities move or cover these cords today?
- Who should I report the fall to, and is there a form?
- Which clinic should I go to first for a work injury?
- Doctor, should I be checked for a concussion or a wrist fracture?
- What screen or typing limits should I follow while I heal?
- Can I work a reduced schedule or from home for now?
- Is there a way to get my work-injury medication delivered instead of picking it up?
- Attorney, what if my claim is denied because it was an office fall?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I tripped over cords at the office?
Check yourself before getting up and call 911 for a head injury with confusion or vomiting. Photograph the cords and report the fall in writing that day. Get checked by a clinician even if it seemed minor.
Is tripping over cords at work covered by workers' comp?
It may be, depending on your state and the facts. Falls at an office during work are generally the kind of event workers' comp addresses. Report it promptly and ask your state's agency.
I hit my head on my desk. Do I need to see a doctor?
Yes, getting checked is a good idea. Concussion symptoms can appear hours later. Do not drive yourself.
My wrist hurts after catching myself. Could it be broken?
It could be, and only a clinician can tell. Wrist fractures from falls can feel like sprains. Get it evaluated.
Should I report a minor office fall?
Yes, reporting it in writing is a good idea. Symptoms can develop later. A same-day report creates a clear record.
Can a teacher trip over classroom cables be a work injury?
It may be, depending on the state and the facts. School staff falls are often reported through the district's process. Ask your district for the injury form.
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).