5 Common Serious Workplace Injuries in Texas
Serious workplace injuries in Texas are very common. Industrial workers in particular are more susceptible to workplace injuries due to the dangerous nature of their job. Although OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has set protocols in place to help employers provide their employees with a safe work environment, accidents and injuries still occur on job sites.
Serious workplace injuries, no matter how minor or severe, can cause an employee to face many burdens –– physically, mentally, and financially. When a worker becomes seriously hurt, it is likely they will have to take time off of work to recover. This can result in lost wages, piling medical bills, and more financial struggles. If employers and employees alike are more educated on the common types of serious workplace injuries, accidents can perhaps be better prevented.
The industrial accident lawyers from Grimes & Fertitta have spent years handling cases of common serious workplace injuries in Texas. If you or a loved one have been injured on the job and needs representation, their top legal team is on your side.
What are the top 5 injuries in the workplace?
1. Slips and falls
Slips and falls are common, if not the most common, serious workplace injuries seen on job sites. Though they may not seem serious, slip and fall injuries can be known to cause life-threatening medical conditions including head injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and dislocated joints.
Slips and falls often occur when an employer or facility owner ignores safety protocols on the site. Some examples are forgetting to put up “wet floor” signs or other signage to imply danger, or slacking on maintenance work on the property which can help create a safe work environment for all employees. Mistakes like these can cause an employee to become injured and could be considered liability issues for the employer.
2. Construction site accidents
Construction sites are home to heavy equipment and machinery, and therefore present more dangerous conditions than most workplaces. As Houston construction accident lawyers, we have noticed that far too many construction site accidents occur as a result of operator negligence.
Some of the most common types of construction accidents that Grimes & Fertitta handles involve the following:
- Improper use or maintenance of equipment
- Insufficient training
- Crane or hoist accidents
- Collapsed structures
- Falling objects
- Electrical accidents
- Welding accidents
- Fires and explosions*
*Fires and explosions account for a large number of workplace injuries on construction sites. If you or a loved one were severely or fatally injured in a fire or explosion, contact an experienced plant explosion lawyer today to learn your legal options.
3. Transportation
In 2019, it was reported that transportation incidents continued to be the leading cause of fatal/ serious workplace injuries in Texas. Individuals who are tasked with operating vehicles to transport goods or products have a responsibility to follow safety procedures. Common examples of operator negligence include:
- Speeding
- Impaired or reckless driving
- Not wearing a seatbelt or other safety equipment
- Driving while tired
- Texting and driving
However, it is also the employer or manufacturer’s responsibility to provide proper training and up-to-date maintenance on the vehicles being used to ensure a safe environment for both the driver and other employees. If an inexperienced individual is hired to operate a transportation vehicle and an injury occurs, the employer must take responsibility for their negligence.
4. Contact with equipment or objects
Industrial and construction job sites house large and heavy machinery along with other objects and equipment that can be dangerous if safety and maintenance protocols are not being properly followed. Here are some examples of dangerous situations where employees come into contact with equipment or other objects on the job site:
- A worker being struck by a moving object
- A worker being caught or crushed by falling objects or equipment
- A worker’s body part being pinched, squeezed, compressed, or crushed
- The most common injuries that occur in this category are hand injuries
- A worked bumping into or being thrown into an object
- A worker stepping on or kicking an object
- A worker sustaining cuts, lacerations, punctures, or even amputations
- And more
5. Lack of proper training
Proper training for employees is essential for creating and maintaining a safe work environment for everyone on the job site. Under Texas law, it is the employer’s responsibility to hire qualified individuals and properly train any employee that is brought onto a job site. Improper training can result in several issues, including serious injuries.
Can I sue my employer for pain and suffering?
If you have injured yourself while at work, your first priority should be to seek medical attention. Second, contact an attorney to see what your legal options are. You may wonder if you can sue your employer and win for the pain these injuries have caused you. Depending on the nature of your case, you may be able to file a claim against your employer.
Workers compensation claims may only be filed against employers who do not offer workers’ compensation; however, you can file a third-party claim against another party (contractors, manufacturers of machinery, etc.) who may be at fault for your injury. Third-party lawsuits require detailed legal experience to ensure the best outcome for you –– that is where the workplace injury attorneys at Grimes & Fertitta come in.
Have You Endured Serious Workplace Injuries? Grimes & Fertitta is on Your Side.
Serious workplace injuries in any form can have life-altering consequences. If you believe that your employer or a third party’s negligence is responsible for your injuries, contact a Houston work injury lawyer from Grimes & Fertitta ASAP. Our attorneys have decades of experience helping people overcome work injuries and obtain the financial compensation they deserve. We will help you seek justice from the responsible party.
Request a consultation via our online form or give us a call at 713-224-7644 today.
More Helpful Articles by Grimes & Fertitta:
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- When to Sue for Personal Injury
- What to Do After a Fatal Car Accident in Houston
- What Does a Black Box Do?
- Finding the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston for You