Industrial Accidents

A number of industrial accidents result in death or permanent injury every year. Even though the government has strict safety guidelines, catastrophic accidents still occur every year. If you or a loved one is a victim of an industrial accident, it is important to consult with a personal injury lawyer right away. Only a personal injury lawyer can explain the law and conduct a proper investigation to determine whether or not the employer is at fault.

A catastrophic personal injury can have a serious impact on your life. Some common examples of injuries caused by industrial accidents are:

• Severe Burns
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Brain Damage
• Paralysis
• Limb amputation

These injuries require extensive medical treatment and in most cases, even after rehabilitative treatment, the individual never is able to live a normal life. In some cases, a caretaker is necessary for the duration of the person’s life. If you have been injured in an industrial accident, you have the right to pursue compensation to cover the following things:

• Medical bills
• Long-term care
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Other expenses

Contact a Florida personal injury attorney immediately to find out about your options when a negligent industrial accident occurs.

Florida Industrial Accident Attorneys

The attorneys at Levine & Glassman are experienced personal injury lawyers. Lisa Levine and Mark Glassman are dedicated to helping you receive compensation if you have been hurt due to the negligence of an individual or a large company. It is important to seek out legal advice once an industrial accident happens because there is only a limited time to file your claim. Contact us at (954) 332-6100 for a free consultation on your industrial accident case.

Industrial Accident Information Center

• What types of industrial accidents do you handle?
• What is OSHA?
• What is the process of filing an industrial accident lawsuit?
• Workers’ Compensation Claims

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What types of industrial accidents do you handle?

Industries are supposed to have strict safety guidelines to guard against accidents. However, when companies are not in compliance with OSHA and other government regulations, accidents are bound to happen. There are a number of industrial accidents that can occur. Some of the more common industrial accidents would be things like:

• Explosions at oil and gas refineries
• Crane Accidents
• Accidents caused by defective machinery
• Objects that fall onto people and cause crushing injuries
• Pipeline Collapse
• Toxic Chemical Exposure
• Natural Gas Explosions
• Offshore oil rig accidents

There are many different kinds of injuries caused by industrial accidents. The injuries can range from moderate to severe. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney today if you or a loved one has been involved in an industrial accident.

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What is OSHA?

OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1971 and it is administered by the United States Department of Labor. The purpose of the Act is to provide a safe work environment in the United States. Only certain employers have to adhere to OSHA guidelines. Some of the OSHA guidelines include:

• Provide workers with information on identifying hazardous substances in the workplace.
• Training workers to treat injuries that occur from contact with hazardous substances.
• Unannounced OSHA visits are conducted at worksites to make sure that OSHA rules are followed.
• OSHA visits are conducted in response to employee complaints and the matter is investigated to see if the employer is in violation of OSHA rules.
• Provide workers with training on how to deal with fires and other emergencies.
• Provide workers with information on first aid procedure and protection against blood-borne pathogens.
• Provide workers with information on first aid procedures.

OSHA also provides whistleblower protection for employees who report employers who do not follow OSHA protocols.

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What is the process of filing an industrial accident lawsuit?

If you have been involved with an industrial accident, it is necessary to contact a personal injury lawyer right away. There are several steps in filing a lawsuit in a personal injury situation. When it comes to industrial accidents, there are a lot of facts attorneys need to gather in order to bring a successful case. This process of gathering facts is called the discovery process.

During discovery, the injured party and the industrial company can obtain information that relates to any issue in the lawsuit that is not protected by client-attorney privilege or confidentiality. Usually attorneys use the following tools in the discovery process:

• Interrogatories
• Depositions
• Medical records
• Physician reports
• Internal accident reports

After the discovery process takes place, a majority of industrial accident cases are settled out of court. However, if the case does not settle, then a trial would commence. A trial in an industrial accident case is similar to any negligence case. The injured party must prove that the injuries were caused by the negligence of the company. In order to prove negligence, the injured party’s attorney must show:

• The company had a duty of care,
• The company breached the duty of care
• The breach of the duty of care caused the accident
• An injury resulted due to the accident.

Most industries have rules and regulations to prevent industrial accidents. If the regulations and safety measures were not followed and an accident occurred, the company is liable.

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Workers’ Compensation Claims

Instead of pursuing a lawsuit, it is possible to take the “workman’s comp” route. Worker’s compensation is a form of insurance for employees that have been injured on the job. The insurance provides periodic payments instead of wages and medical care for injured employees in exchange for a mandatory termination of the employee’s right to sue the employer for negligence.

Seek an attorney’s advice before making a workers’ comp claim. Depending on the extent of your injury and your ability to work in the future, workman’s comp may not cover the damages caused by your injury.

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Resources

Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act – OSHA Act provides regulations and required training for individuals working in hazardous industries such as construction and oil refineries.

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Levine & Glassman, P.A. – Florida Industrial Accident Lawyers

The attorneys at Levine & Glassman have extensive experience at evaluating and pursuing industrial accident claims in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Contact our firm at (954) 332-6100 or using out online contact form and one of our attorneys will evaluate your potential industrial accident case, explain the process of filing such a claim, and answer any other questions you may have.