According to the United States Department of Labor, in 2017 there were roughly 14 worker deaths every day.
Workers have the right to feel safe at their workplace. And although their employer may take adequate precautions to make sure the environment is safe, accidents can unfortunately still happen.
Faulty equipment accounts for a big portion of workplace accidents. In some cases, they are the result of improper maintenance and negligence on the part of your employer. Other times, the machines come in with an unknown defect. In any case, a lot of these types of injuries can have devastating repercussions on the victims.
Type of Injuries
Equipment is a term that includes both tools (like power saws or meat slicers), as well as industrial equipment needed for the manufacturing or in the construction industry. These tools are often power-driven or electronic, which means they can cause a lot of harm in case something goes wrong.
It’s why this equipment also comes with clear rules on how to use them and, in some cases, protective gears. Still, if an accident occurs despite these precautions, there are some common injuries to speak of:
- Burns
- Amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Eye injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Skin injuries such as degloving
As you can see, equipment injuries are often rather severe and require extensive medical attention. The best-case scenario here is that after a while, the treatment works and you can resume your normal activities without any problems. Sadly, some workers aren’t that fortunate and can be left with permanent damage.
What Can You Do?
In Missouri, injured workers are generally covered by workers compensation, so if you get injured on the job, this is a possible solution to get your medical treatment compensated. However, these benefits might not be enough, because apart from your medical treatment you may also have other financial burdens at this time. You also have the right to access disability benefits for both temporary or permanent disabilities, for extra financial support.
Just know that by getting workers compensation you are also giving up your right of suing your employer for negligence. If you have proof it was directly your employer’s fault for the faulty equipment (improper maintenance, buying cheap equipment, a history of unsafe environments at work, etc.), you may be able to file a lawsuit against your employer. This processes can be difficult and your options are best discussed with an attorney who as extensive experience.
St. Louis Work Injury Lawyers
It can be difficult to know how to proceed in these cases. Should you apply for workers comp or do you have enough for a lawsuit? To understand your legal options better, reach out to a St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney at the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann and let them analyze your case.
We can help you understand your options and protect your legal interests. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4300.