If you’ve been injured at work, you may not know where to turn. While there may be insurance policies and benefits in place to aid in your recovery, there’s a chance they won’t be enough to help you get your life back in order. If you believe negligence played a role in your accident, there may be additional actions for you to take. A Biloxi work injury lawyer can help you explore your options.
Workplace Injury Statistics
According to the National Safety Council, a worker is injured on the job every seven seconds. That means that 4,600,000 employees suffer injuries at work on an annual basis. The majority of the accidents resulting in harm are entirely preventable.
There are three primary work injury incidents that result in injuries and time off work. The first is overexertion. Nearly 34% of all work injuries happen when employees are lifting or lowering heavy objects—especially when the motion is repeated often. Workers also get injured when there’s contact with equipment and objects. There’s the risk of being struck by equipment, caught in between objects, or crushed by collapsing structures. Finally, a quarter of work injuries are the result of slips, trips, and falls.
As a result of those workplace injury events, the most common types of injuries that keep workers off the job include sprains, strains, tears, soreness or pain, and cuts, lacerations, and punctures.
The Most Dangerous Occupations in Biloxi
There are a number of ways to identify dangerous occupations. The most common way is to determine the fatality rate. Health and safety professionals from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics determined the most dangerous jobs in relation to fatal occupational injuries, which include:
- Roofers. Workers who repair, replace, or build roofs are among the most at risk for slip and fall accidents. A fall from any roof, even a single story up, can result in serious, if not catastrophic spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injuries.
- Construction Laborers. Construction workers are at risk for injury because of the various equipment they work with. Construction tools and heavy equipment require special training. If a worker is thrown into a job without proper guidance, an accident could easily occur.
- Timber Cutters. Individuals who work with wood and cut down trees are at risk of fatal accidents because of the equipment they use. Axes, chainsaws, and other logging equipment can be incredibly dangerous if handled improperly.
- Fishers. Whether working on offshore oil rigs or on small fishing boats, water-related work accidents are common. Common reasons for accidents in the maritime field include inadequate equipment maintenance, lack of necessary gear or equipment, and breakdowns in operating procedures and communication.
As you can see, the occupations above have some characteristics in common. For example, many of them take place outdoors. In addition to that, some are affected by severe weather conditions. If, however, your injury took place in a different area of employment, you may still have grounds to take legal action. Our attorneys can evaluate your situation and determine how best to assist you.
Work Injuries and Negligence
If you’ve been injured on the job, you’re probably well aware of your rights to workers’ compensation. While those benefits are useful, temporary and permanent disability payments are typically quite low. They also don’t take pain and suffering into consideration. There are situations, however, where you can seek compensation for your injuries through a lawsuit. In the majority of these situations, negligence is a factor.
For example, when a worker is injured by a defective product, the manufacturer can be held accountable. An investigation can determine if the company knew of the danger and failed to warn its customers. In a situation like this, the manufacturer would then be responsible for compensating the injured worker for the medical bills, lost wages, and more.
There’s also the chance you could be injured by a toxic substance. Common toxins workers come into contact with include asbestos, benzene, chromium compounds, radium, and silica. There are two types of toxic injuries. Acute are apparent immediately, while latent can take years to appear. Latent injuries are often cancers or lung disease. Depending on the circumstances, the manufacturer of the toxic substance or the manufacturer of ineffective safety equipment can be held accountable.
There are other ways negligence can play into your work injury. Our lawyers will look into your situation and determine how to approach building your claim.
Secure Your Future with Corban Gunn, Attorney at Law
Regardless of how your work injury happened, it’s likely you’re stuck now dealing with medical bills and time away from work. While workers’ comp benefits are worth applying for, they won’t always cover all your losses—especially if your injury was the result of another party’s negligence. That’s why filing a personal injury claim with a Biloxi work injury lawyer is the most assured way to receive the compensation you need.
When you work with Corban Gunn, Attorney at Law, we’ll work to build a strong case on your behalf that proves you’re owed compensation for your injuries. The case length will vary depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident and injuries, but we’ll be with you every step of the way.
Filing a claim takes time, so it’s best to get started as soon as possible. We understand that filing a lawsuit for a work injury can be a sensitive matter, but securing your recovery and your family’s future is paramount. To learn more about the litigation process or to get started, contact us today.
