Factories and warehouses deal with heavy machinery, lifting heavy objects and working from heights as well. Even though factory laws have been revised to ensure worker safety, accidents can still happen and are an inevitable part of working in this industry. Warehouse and factory accident claims can help you hold your employer accountable and have your damages compensated in the event of an unfortunate event. The law requires employers to be insured specifically to cover accident claims. You can file an accident claim on the following incidents:
Heavy lifting injuriesSlips and tripsFalling from heightsGetting hit with falling objectsDangerous machineryExposure to harmful substancesSerious burnsElectric shocksAmputationAsbestosExcessive noiseForklift trucksCuts and bruisesLoss of hearingNeck and back injuries from heavy liftingFoot or toe injuries due to falling objectsPhysical Strain due to manual handlingShoulder and arm injuries from heavy liftingSprains, fractures, and breaks from fallingVibration damage from repeated use of machineryBrain damage due to head or spinal injuriesDeath (in which case the family of the deceased can file a claim on their behalf)Who Do I Hold Accountable?
Employers are responsible for ensuring their employees’ safety, and in the event of an accident at work, the employer is held accountable. The heavy machinery and large objects in such an environment can be a potential risk for workers. This is why it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the workers are protected from potential injuries and hazards. It is the lawful duty of all employers to ensure practices conducive of secure working conditions. This requires organizations to maintain a rigorous check on hazard perception as well. Lawyers work to have the employers pay compensatory awards through their insurance in case a mishap occurs with any of their employees. This is exactly why the law requires employers to have liability insurance.
How Much Compensation Will I Get?
The compensatory award depends on the seriousness of the injury, how much damage has ben done, your ability to work in the future, loss of earnings as well as psychological and emotional damages. The compensatory award will cover your rehabilitation costs, both mental and physical, and cover up the loss of earnings and savings. The amount, therefore, varies from case to case depending on the circumstances as well as the severity of the injury.
Why do I hold my employer responsible?
The law requires employers to create a working space that is safe for employees. To avoid being hit by warehouse and factory accident claims, a company can ensure a safe workplace through:
Conducting trainings and workshops on how to deal with machineryConduct regular machinery maintenanceAssess risks to staff and visitorsOffer safe and reliable equipmentPrevent risks where possibleProvide thorough guidelines for the staff to followMake sure the staff is following the safety guidelines as instructedReview the staffs training and knowledge in handling the equipmentRoutinely assess the staff’s health to eliminate any potential risksWhat is the Time Frame for Filing a Claim?
The law states that you can file a claim within three years. However, the law can be relaxed for exceptional cases such as the employee being abroad, mental deterioration due to the brain injury and/or physical incapability owing to the injury.
Contacting a Lawyer
Reach out to your local law firm and set up a consultation. Most law firms provide free consultations and case evaluations. Your chances of wining a justified compensation that would suit you will be greater if you hire a professional legal expert. You can hire a lawyer for processing your warehouse and factory accident claims on a convenient No win, No Fee basis. This means that your lawyer will get a specified share from the compensatory amount in the event of you winning the claim. Your lawyer will handle all the necessary documentation and legalities. The documentation would include insurance claims and medical bills. Gathering statements from insurance companies, witnesses, and doctors to build up the credibility of the case would be under the lawyer’s objectives as well.
The employer’s insurance company will start by making an offer to cover your expenses. The first offers are mostly inadequate and do not even cover half of the expenses incurred. Your lawyer will start a dialogue with the insurance firm to settle an offer that would be better suited to your needs. If a settlement is not reached your lawyer will push forward with filling a lawsuit in the court, where jurist will decide and award rightful compensation.
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