When someone in East Texas goes to work each day, they generally shouldn’t be concerned that they will become injured in an accident. Of course, certain jobs have more of a risk factor than others, but even these professions should have proper safety protocols in place to protect employees. If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident, please read on to find out more about what the most common injuries in the workplace are. Afterward, contact J. Chad Parker, your workplace accident attorney.
Here are the top 5 most common workplace accidents in Texas, the list goes as follows:
1. Slips and falls
Slips and falls are common, if not the most common, serious workplace injuries seen on job sites. Though it may not seem serious, slip and fall injuries are known to cause life-threatening medical conditions including head injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and dislocated joints.
Slips and falls often happen when an employer or facility owner ignores safety protocols on the site. Some examples are forgetting to put up “wet floor” signs or other signage to imply danger, or slacking on maintenance work on the property which can help create a safe work environment for all employees. Mistakes like these can cause an employee to become injured and could be considered liability issues for the employer.
2. Construction site accidents
Construction sites are home to heavy equipment and machinery, and therefore present more dangerous conditions than most workplaces.
Some of the most common types of construction accidents that Grimes & Fertitta handles involve the following:
- Improper use or maintenance of equipment
- Insufficient training
- Crane or hoist accidents
- Collapsed structures
- Falling objects
- Electrical accidents
- Welding accidents
- Fires and explosions
3. Transportation
- Speeding
- Impaired or reckless driving
- Not wearing a seatbelt or other safety equipment
- Driving while tired
- Texting and driving
It is also the employer or manufacturer’s responsibility to provide proper training and up-to-date maintenance on the vehicles that are to ensure a safe environment for both the driver and other employees. If an inexperienced individual operates a transportation vehicle and an injury occurs, the employer must take responsibility for their negligence.
4. Contact with equipment or objects
Industrial and construction job sites house large and heavy machinery along with other objects and equipment that can be dangerous if safety and maintenance protocols are not being properly followed. Here are some examples of dangerous situations where employees come into contact with equipment or other objects on the job site:
- A worker who is struck by a moving object
- A worker who is caught or crushed by falling objects or equipment
- A worker’s body part being pinched, squeezed, compressed, or crushed
- A worker bumping into or being thrown into an object
- A worker stepping on or kicking an object
- A worker sustaining cuts, lacerations, punctures, or even amputations
5. Lack of proper training
Proper training for employees is essential for creating and maintaining a safe work environment for everyone on the job site. Additionally, under Texas law, it is the employer’s responsibility to hire a qualified individual and properly train any employee that is brought onto a job site. Improper training will result in several issues, including serious injuries.
Recovery of Work Compensation After A Workplace Accident
If you are seriously injured in a workplace accident, you could be compensated, which will offset some of the physical, emotional, and toll associated with your injuries. If you are hurt on the job and are filing for workers’ compensation, you cannot take legal action against your employer.
However, if you are injured due to the negligence of a third party other than your employer, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. It is important to note that most of the time, you cannot collect workers’ compensation and compensation for a claim against a third party. The court can order you to repay your workers’ compensation. Attorney Parker can evaluate his situation to determine what details may apply to him.
Contact An Experience Workplace Accident Attorney
If you have been seriously injured in a Texas workplace accident, it is important to consider your legal options. You should make sure that you retain the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer. J. Chad Parker and his experienced legal team have proudly served the Tyler, Texas area for over 25 years and are ready to take on your case too. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. For an experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyer, contact J. Chad Parker, PLLC today.