Warehouse, factory, and industrial incidents are unfortunately the most common venue for workplace injuries according to the U.S. Department of Labor. These include injuries resulting from lifting or physical stress, accidents involving forklifts or other industrial equipment, as well as slip and fall accidents.
Warehouse, factory and industrial accidents often occur at:
- Chemical plants
- Refineries
- Port or Dock accidents
- Car accidents while on the job
Office Accidents
Although many people think of office environments as safer, incidents can still occur in office spaces. Slip and fall accidents, trips over wires and other obstructions, and even back injuries from handling office equipment can contribute to injuries during the course of a workday.
Hospital Accidents
Hospital workers face a number of hazards at work. Injuries related to exhaustion on the job, slip and fall accidents, exposure to substances or patients that could cause the worker to fall ill, and unruly patients or visitors can all contribute to a workplace injury at a hospital.
Construction Site Accidents
Construction sites pose many dangers to workers. Injuries from falling objects, collapse of scaffolding or ladders, and accidents involving forklifts, cranes and trucks can all contribute to serious workplace injuries. Specific injuries or worse include what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) calls the fatal four, which account for more than half of construction-related deaths and countless more injuries:
- Falls
- Being struck by an object
- Electrocution
- Caught inside of or in between objects or equipment
Employers can be liable for workplace accidents that are the result of their negligence. Victims in these cases could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Employers are not always the liable parties in work injury cases. Sometimes they may not be the only liable party. Certain injuries are the result of other independent third parties. For example, if your injury was the result of a defective machine, the manufacturer could end up being the party liable for your injuries.
In other cases, injuries may be the result of a negligent co-worker, contractor, or possibly another independent third party. Motor vehicle accidents caused by other drivers are a common example of injuries suffered on the job caused by others.
Determining the liable party is not always easy, which is why it is so critical for victims to retain legal counsel as soon as possible after a workplace accident. Williams Hart & Boundas can work quickly to preserve important evidence and then guide you towards a recovery of damages.
