Industrial jobs can be extremely dangerous, and even the best safety measures can sometimes fail to protect workers from accidents. The combination of heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and tight workspaces can put employees at risk of sustaining an injury or death in the workplace.
It’s important for employers to take proactive steps to help ensure worker safety, such as providing proper training on how to safely operate equipment, implementing regular maintenance checks on machinery, and ensuring that all necessary safety gear is worn by all workers. However, these steps are not always enough, and accidents can still occur despite safety precautions being taken.
In these cases, workers may be able to seek compensation for their injuries through a legal claim or through insurance benefits provided by their employer.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Industrial Accidents
The following are several common industrial worksite accident injuries:
- Injuries from slips, trips, and falls: These are some of the most common types of industrial accidents, resulting in anything from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries such as broken bones or head trauma.
- Burns: Burns can result from contact with hot surfaces, molten metals, flammable liquids or gases, and electricity.
- Cuts and lacerations: Employees may suffer cuts or lacerations when using tools that have sharp edges or moving parts.
- Musculoskeletal disorders: Repetitive motions or overexertion can lead to muscular strain which can cause long-term discomfort or even disability.
- Exposure to hazardous materials: Working with certain chemicals may cause skin irritation or respiratory illnesses.
- Injuries from machinery: Machines can cause serious injury, such as amputations, if safety protocols are not followed correctly.
- Falls from heights: Working at height can cause a range of injuries, depending on the distance and surface the employee falls from.
- Eye injuries: Accidents involving small debris or particles flying into an employee’s eyes can lead to temporary vision loss or permanent damage to their eyesight.
- Hearing loss: Exposure to loud noises over time can cause hearing loss, which may be permanent with no chance for recovery.
- Toxic exposure: In some cases, employees may come into contact with hazardous materials that could have negative health effects if not handled correctly.
- Stress, anxiety, and depression: Working in a hazardous environment can lead to psychological issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. It is important for employers to create an environment that is free from safety hazards and health risks so that employees can work without fear of injury or illness.
Hire a Lawyer to Assist You with Workers’ Comp
Hiring an attorney to assist with a worker's compensation claim can be beneficial in several ways. An experienced attorney can have the know-how to go through all of the necessary legal paperwork and will also have the proper relationships with insurance companies so that your claim is properly handled. Additionally, they are familiar with workers' compensation laws and regulations, which means that your case is more likely to have a successful outcome.
Having an attorney on your side gives you peace of mind knowing that someone knowledgeable is there to advocate for you. They can help ensure that all documentation is accurate and up-to-date, as well as provide advice on what sort of damages or settlements may be available to you. Furthermore, they can represent you in court if needed, so you can be confident that your case is in capable hands.
Learn more about how the legal support we offer at Smolich and Smolich can help you by contacting us online.