Accidents in the workplace happen every day of the year, and even if your company has workers’ compensation insurance, an accident can still turn your life upside down, for months or even years. Hiring an attorney is sometimes your best bet, particularly if the injury is severe, because these professionals will help make sure you are fairly compensated for your pain and suffering. Accidents can result in broken bones, burns, muscular damage, and even repetitive strain injuries, such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendonitis. If you are out of work for a while after an injury, especially if you are not getting paid during this time, it is especially important that you be compensated, and a professional lawyer can go over everything you are entitled to in greater detail.
Why Do Workplace Injuries Occur?
Many workplace injuries occur because of negligence on the part of the employer. If they have freshly mopped floors but no signs up warning people about wet floors, if they are located in an old building that still has asbestos and other harmful materials, or even if they forget to repair a bump in the driveway that can cause employees to slip and fall, they are being neglectful and could possibly be held liable. Most workplace accidents are avoidable, and there are certain things employers can do to reduce the chances of an accident. These include proper training of employees on certain safety techniques, having an on-site room where employees can go to take a break periodically, making sure the work day is a reasonable length, providing a way for employees to communicate their concerns, and being more aware of the surroundings to make sure that nothing is there that could result in someone falling, or otherwise being injured, are all things employers can do to reduce the chances of an accident in their place of business. This is important, especially in today’s litigious society, because no business wants to be sued by one of its employees, which is why taking precautions in the first place is much smarter and more effective.
When Accidents Occur Anyway
If your employer is trying to make your workplace safer there are numerous things they can do to be successful. However, if they ignore certain governmental safety regulations, keep defective equipment around, or even ignore certain environmental laws, an injury or illness can still occur. When this happens, a good attorney can let you know what your rights are. Even if you have had a family member who died because of the incompetence of a certain employer, you can likely still file a lawsuit against them. Since most initial visits with a lawyer are free, it is easy to determine what you can and cannot do to receive compensation for your injury or loss, so visiting with one is always a smart idea in these situations. Workplace injuries can and do occur, but there are things employers can do to reduce the chance of this happening, and there are things employees can also do should this happen to them, and both of these things are good to know.
