Maryland Industrial Accident Claims Attorneys

Industrial labor is much more physically demanding than most white-collar jobs. It also has a higher rate of worker injury by far. A National Safety Council (NSC) graph of data from 2017 and 2018 shows there are four industry sectors with much higher rates of preventable deaths than any others:

• Agriculture, fishing, forestry, and hunting
• Mining
• Transportation and warehousing
• Construction

It’s easy to understand why these jobs top the chart: They have many more serious workplace hazards than jobs in finance or government. Regardless of how careful you are, a minor mistake by someone else can cause an accident and severe injury.

After a workplace injury or wrongful death, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim to help offset its financial impacts. Some insurers will fight back against these claims in the name of “fraud protection,” denying or trying to cut down expenses from valid claims. Those who are stuck in an insurance dispute may feel helpless trying to make inroads with someone who doesn’t care about their wellbeing. Others may have trouble even getting their claim filed at all.

Our caring team is here to help people like you file for workers’ compensation claims after an on-the-job injury. From getting the paperwork right to monitoring deadlines to fighting back against unfair challenges, we can take on the hard work for you.

Call our industrial accident attorneys at 301-381-2655 if you’re looking for help after a workplace injury. We offer free consultations for every case.

Industrial Hazards and Workplace Injuries

Industrial workers often spend their days around heavy machinery, large trucks, dangerous chemicals, fall hazards, and specialized equipment that needs careful operation. Any of these factors can cause serious injuries when there’s an accident. The top 3 workplace injury types that cause missed work days, regardless of job type, are:

• Overexertion
• Contact with objects or equipment
• Slips, trips, and falls

Injuries from these accidents can heal quickly or cause long-lasting damage. Regardless, you deserve financial help if you need treatment due to a workplace accident.

Severe Injuries Among Industrial Workers

While the hazards above could happen in any type of workplace, employees in industrial jobs face more serious injuries if something goes wrong. Workers’ compensation claims often result from serious or even catastrophic injuries like:

• Back injury
• Broken bones (including multiple fractures)
• Burns (from heat, chemicals, electrical currents, or radiation)
• Crushed bones
• Head and neck injury
• Hearing loss
• Knee injury
• Loss of limb/amputation
• Shoulder injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Toxic exposure
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Vision impairment or loss

Some of these injuries can be caused in an instant by an accident. Others may slowly develop over time due to repetitive aspects of your job. Regardless of how an injury comes to be, if it was caused by workplace activities, it should be covered by workers’ compensation.

When Poor Workplace Standards Are to Blame

To make things worse for workers in dangerous industrial jobs, companies often don’t follow safety guidelines and regulations. Safety and Health Magazine covered the top serious OSHA violations in FY 2019, identifying the following common safety lapses:

• Fall protection (lack of safety systems and/or supervision)
• Scaffolding (lack of employee protection for falls and falling objects)
• Hazard communication (regarding the use of and safety concerns about dangerous chemicals)
• Ladders (improper safety procedures and/or use of non-approved ladders)
• Lockout/Tagout (existence of and training on safety procedures; periodic inspection)

Workers should know they can confidentially report hazards or policy violations to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Further, it is illegal for employers to retaliate against workplace whistleblowers. Sometimes it unfortunately takes federal enforcement to make employers take their workers’ safety seriously. However, making a report if you see something dangerous could save lives—including your own.

Fault Doesn’t Matter in Industrial Accidents

Personal injury cases rest on whether a certain party’s negligence can be proven in an accident. This is not the case for workers’ compensation, which is awarded to injured employees regardless of who or what caused the accident. The insurer, who has sold a policy to your employer, cannot challenge your right to compensation by trying to pin the blame on you.

In the case of a third party (someone not employed by the same company) being involved, you may be able to file an injury claim at the same time you apply for workers’ compensation. Our attorneys can look at your case and help you determine your rights if you’ve been hurt.

Don’t Wait to Get Help After an Injury

Both workers’ compensation claims and personal injury suits do have to be filed within a certain time limit, so if you’ve been hurt, it’s important to reach out to a lawyer as soon as you can. Some people put the matter off because they don’t realize hiring an attorney will make it easier for them to focus on their recovery.

Filing an insurance claim is never an easy process, but our experienced attorneys have helped many people in your position. We know how to make the process go smoothly and avoid common mistakes that could delay your case. When you’re injured and missing work, receiving reimbursement for your treatment and compensation to help replace lost paychecks can be essential. Let us help you get this process started today.

Call Alpert Schreyer, LLC at 301-381-2655 for a free consultation with our industrial accident attorneys. We serve clients in Maryland and Washington, DC.