Workers today benefit from regulations enacted to protect employee safety, such as restrictions on the number of hours they can work. In addition, there have been multiple technological advancements that have made machinery and workplace conditions considerably safer. Unfortunately, workplace injuries are still relatively common, with workers suffering inconvenient and sometimes even life-changing events.
If you suffered an injury or illness while on the job, you might not have a workers’ compensation case, you might instead have a third-party liability case. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney could help you distinguish the difference. Contact a Bellaire workplace accident lawyer from the Gutierrez Law Firm today for a free consultation to get started.
Common Types of Workplace Accidents
Most work environments carry the potential for scenarios that could result in injury. However, these risks are more significant for certain industries, and care must be taken daily to avoid catastrophic harm or even death.
Oilfield Accidents
Although safety meetings and “stop work authority” policies have been adopted by many oilfield companies, the threat of harmful damage remains because these policies are not always followed. The long working hours and the various potential hazards make the oil industry a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the workplace.
Refinery Accidents
Refinery workers are exposed to dangerous chemicals, machinery, and the risk of explosions. Communication breakdowns and failure to follow proper permitting and “lock-out, tag-out” rules can lead to workers being in the line of fire. Refineries are volatile work environments where a disaster can happen at any minute.
Industrial Accidents
Manufacturing plants and warehouses can carry the unique potential for severe accidents when due diligence is not maintained. Large and dangerous heavy machinery and tools can easily cause devastating harm, including limb amputations.
Maritime Accidents
Mariners face dangerous scenarios from their working environment and the equipment they must use daily. While there are specific regulations in place to protect their rights, maritime law can be complex and difficult to understand.
Construction Accidents
The combination of heavy machinery, dangerous tools, and working in high places like scaffolding makes construction zones one of the most hazardous industries. They also have a higher risk than most workplaces for slip and fall injuries.
Workplace Vehicle Accidents
The demand for transporting goods and materials is higher than ever. The oversized trucks and other vehicles essential to this role carry the risk of serious injury if they are not maintained or operated appropriately.
Carelessness from managers, manufacturers, corporations, or co-workers could mean the difference between safety and a harmful incident. In some situations, injured individuals are covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance but this is not always the case. And even when workers’ compensation insurance is available, workers and their families may still be able to make a claim against the responsible companies. Consulting with a skilled Bellaire workplace accident attorney is the first step in understanding your rights as an employee and what compensation you might be owed in the event of an injury.
Third-Party Compensation for Bellaire Workplace Injuries
Many times, a negligent third party causes a workplace injury. For instance, a worker could sue the manufacturer of a defective piece of machinery that injured them. Another worker could sue a negligent third-party driver who hit them while they were traveling for work.
If another party is responsible for damages, an injured worker can often pursue a personal injury claim against them for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. The recoverable damages in a civil lawsuit are usually more extensive than what is recoverable under Texas workers’ compensation benefits. This makes it in an injured worker’s best interests to research other sources of compensation for an incident with a skilled Bellaire attorney.
Call a Bellaire Workplace Accident Attorney for Help Understanding What You Might be Owed
If you suffered a serious workplace injury, your efforts should be spent focusing on getting better. An experienced Bellaire workplace accident lawyer has a proven record of helping injured employees obtain their rightful compensation even if workers’ comp is not an option. Our dedicated team could focus on the details of your incident to discover if other parties are responsible and handle all the necessary steps to help you pursue the maximum damages available from a third-party liability case. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.
