We want to bring you a story of an incident that happened a bit out of our coverage area because it highlights the need for constant vigilance in the workplace. A California man was killed on New Year’s Eve when a car was dropped on him at a North Hollywood work facility.
For reasons that have yet to be determined, the vehicle must have fallen off of the jack and crushed the worker. Firefighters tried to free him but could not get him out before he died from his injuries.
At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, we know that there are times when accidents are unavoidable. We also know that the vast majority of workplace injuries and deaths are preventable. They are often the fault of negligent behavior of coworkers or of the company’s practices. If you need an El Centro work injury attorney, you can count on us to secure the compensation you deserve.
Hurt At Work
When you go to work each day, the last thing you probably think about is that you may not make it home. Workplace injuries and fatalities happen every day. While we hope they never happen to us or our loved ones, we know that there were more than 5,000 workplace fatalities last year and around 2.8 million workplace injuries or illnesses.
Common workplace injuries include lacerations, strains and sprains, broken bones, or other trauma. We also know that many workers suffer from repetitive stress injuries due to performing the same motion over and over again for a long period of time.
When a workplace incident occurs, it should be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation covers hospital and medical bills, as well as disability payments if you are unable to work. This is usually about two-thirds of what your normal pay would be, but each state has their own regulations.
If Someone Else Is To Blame
In cases when someone else’s negligence caused your workplace accident, you may need to consider further legal action, such as a premises liability lawsuit. If you have to work around dangerous materials or machinery and your employer does not provide proper equipment and training, they could be held liable for any injury you sustain.
Also, if you are forced to work long hours, beyond what should be allowed, and you get hurt due to exhaustion, you may have a claim against your employer.
How You Can Move Forward
Getting hurt at work is something we know you do not want to experience. If it does happen to you, we know that you should be able to count on workers’ compensation insurance to help with expenses. But what happens if they do not cover all of your expenses?
What if you are disabled and unable to return to work?
At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, our knowledgeable and experienced team will sit with you and answer any questions you have. We want to make sure you are taken care of in the aftermath of a work accident. This includes securing coverage for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and benefits
- Pain and suffering damages
- Possible punitive damages
When you need an El Centro work injury attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling our office.