Work Injury

Keep on Your Hard Hat: A Close Look at Serious Types of Construction Site Injuries

Nov 23, 2015 | Category: Construction Accidents | By Erik Abrahamson

Florida construction accident statistics show that in 2012 alone, the construction industry had “the largest number of workplace fatalities in the state, up [34%] from the previous year.” This information comes directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and demonstrates just how dangerous construction sites can be Construction site injuries are some of the most serious forms of harm Common injuries at construction sites include the following: Falls. Whether you’re on a ladder, scaffolding, or other supporting structure, falls happen every day at a construction site somewhere. At times, the structure itself is defective or poorly positioned – and it doesn’t even need to be that high for a serious fall to occur. Slip and falls. A construction site is often a landmine of walking hazards, so slip and falls (as opposed to falling off a higher structure) happen frequently. Tools left lying around, building materials scattered everywhere, large holes in the floor, and uneven ground are just a few reasons for serious slip and falls. Eye injuries. Many people don’t associate eye injuries with construction sites, but they actually happen fairly often. Sharp or blunt objects and tools – as well as dangerous chemicals – can steal a person’s vision in a heartbeat. Electrocutions. Live electric wires are everywhere at some construction sites. When they’re not properly labeled, insulated, or worked with, the results can be catastrophic. Fires and explosions. Unfinished piping, leaking gas, and incomplete or mishandled electrical wiring can easily cause fires at a construction site and yes – even explosions. Other common construction site injuries can be caused by: Falling debris Getting caught in between machinery Being hit by a vehicle If you’re a worker who was injured on a site, you may be entitled to workers compensation (depending on your particular situation). Of course, if your employer is giving you grief about filing a claim, you may have to take them to court. But even if you were just visiting the site, or conducting some other business there, there’s still a chance you will get hurt — and badly. Do you need a St. Petersburg personal injury attorney? If you need an injury lawyer, talk to our firm today. We’ve helped hundreds of clients get compensation for their injuries. The staff of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. A free consultation is available, so call us at 1-800-538-4878.

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Does Following OSHA Rules Help Protect Clearwater Workers from Slip and Falls?

Aug 31, 2014 | Category: Work Injury | By Erik Abrahamson

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was created to protect workers throughout the country from being seriously injured on the job. In order to accomplish its mission, OSHA has established clear guidelines that are designed to protect employees from a variety of workplace accidents. OSHA Guidelines for Slip & Falls When it comes to preventing slip and falls, OSHA guidelines require employers to take measures designed to address some of the leading causes of such accidents, such as slippery surfaces and improperly maintained elevated worksites. These specific safety standards vary among different industries. Some examples of the types of protections that they are designed to address include: Specific forms of fall protection for employees working above a given height. Maintaining clean and dry walking surfaces. Guarding floor and wall openings or holes. Safety requirements for scaffolding. Do These Guidelines Actually Protect Workers? Slips, trips and falls are responsible for the majority of general industry accidents, according to OSHA. All too many of the serious injuries and fatalities that are caused by these accidents could have been prevented if employers and employees had been following OSHA guidelines. Following OSHA guidelines plays a critical role in ensuring workplace safety and avoiding unnecessary injuries from accidents like slip and falls. Call Our Injury Law Team Today & Put Our Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyers 100+ Years of Combined Experience to Work for You! If you’ve been seriously hurt in an accident in our area, the Clearwater slip and fall lawyers of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk may be able to help. Call us today at 1-800-538-4878 to speak with a member of our injury law team.

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Negligence, Accidents or Intentional Acts at the Workplace May Result in a Worker’s Compensation Claim

Nov 20, 2013 | Category: Work Injury | By Erik Abrahamson

People get hurt at work all the time. They fall, things fall on them, or they fall prey to faulty equipment. Most people, however, never even think about workplace accidents. These accidents can happen to either coworkers or customers and often happen out of the blue. What are an Employer’s Obligations? Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards explicitly state that employers must provide a workplace that is free from hazards that might cause harm, including death to employees. If employers don’t provide such an environment, they may be held liable under the same guidelines. Employers should: Complete background checks on prospective employees Install security systems and have security personnel on hand in medium to high-risk locations Maintain those systems and ensure security personnel respond in a timely fashion Have a comprehensive plan that addresses workplace accidents Train employees on how to handle these situations Enforce policies that curtail suspected aggression among the employees An employer would be liable under OSHA’s guidelines if it failed in any of these categories, however, random accidents that occur despite an employer’s best efforts under the guidelines do not make the employer responsible. You’ve Been Hurt, What’s the Next Step? In most cases, injured workers are eligible to file a claim for workers’ compensation if they’ve been hurt at work. Additionally, in cases where there is employer negligence and worker’s compensation doesn’t provide adequate redress, workers have the option of filing suit. The key to this situation is proving that negligence occurred, which is why hiring a Tampa personal injury lawyer might be a good idea. Our 100+ Years of Combined Experience Can Work for You If you or someone you know has been hurt at work, either through negligence or otherwise, you’re going to need advice on how to proceed. Abrahamson & Uiterwyk is ready to advise you about a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit, or both. The toll-free phone number is 1-800-538-4878, so call us today for your free consultation. Because of the fact that cases involving Worker’s Compensation may be highly complex and exceedingly specific, our law firm commonly works with other law firms who have considerable experience in each particular case type. Thus, we may be referring these types of cases to a separate firm, with whom we typically associate and work with on a co-counsel basis.

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