Most people spend at least half of their waking hours on the job. Personal injuries are bound to happen. In fact, over 3 million workers were non-fatally injured on the job in 2013, according to reports submitted by private industry employers to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Common Types of Workplace Incidents
The BLS reports that the industries with the highest number of workplace incidents include the following.
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Mining
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Retail
However, workers in any sector can be subject to injury, even with the best safety practices. For example, the information sector (publishing, broadcasting, telecommunications, etc.) seems like a relatively benign and safe industry, yet over 35,000 workers in that industry sustain non-fatal injuries each year. Bressman Law firm has handled numerous cases involving workplace injuries.
Some of the most common types of workplace incidents include the following.
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Defective equipment
- Burns (labs, factories, overheated equipment, welding torches, break room kitchen)
- Building or structure collapses
- Electric shock
- Elevator and escalator injuries
- Cuts, lacerations, and amputations
- Being struck by falling objects or compressed between two objects
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Violence-related injuries
Injured Workers’ Financial Options after an Accident
Those who get hurt on the job usually receive workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ comp will help pay for your medical bills and provide a portion of your pre-injury wages until you can return to work. It is very important that you get immediate hospital care, however. The insurance company will review the chain of events that occurred after your accident and will want a medical opinion as soon as possible.
Depending upon the nature of your accident, you may be entitled to use your work accident lawyer to file an injury claim for reimbursement against a third party (not your employer), which can compensate you above and beyond your workers’ compensation benefits. For example, if your workplace incident involved a defective scaffold, you may be able to file a claim against the scaffold manufacturer or against the company that installed it.
Likewise, if it were driving a car where you suffered a work-related injury, lawyer David Bressman could file an injury claim against the driver on the basis of negligence.
The damages that are compensable in a third party liability claim are far more extensive than what you can receive from workers’ compensation. With a third party claim, you can recover the full amount of lost wages, plus non-economic/emotional damages such as pain and suffering and disfigurement, amongst other damages.
Free Consult with a Lawyer that Handles Workplace Incidents in Ohio
If you were hurt at work, lawyer David Bressman in Ohio can review your legal options. Attorney Bressman can explain your rights and responsibilities and help you pursue recompense for your damages. Contact the office today at 877-538-1116 and schedule a free consultation.