Struck By a Falling Object, can I get Workers’ Compensation?
There are many hazards, dangers and risks that are involved in most forms of work. If you work in the construction industry or have another kind of blue collar job, accidents and injuries in the workplace or on the job are always a possibility.
If you work on an assembly line or in a plant or factory, accidents and injuries are likely to take place. Even if you have a white collar job in an office, accidents may still happen.
One of the more common types of accidents that may take place in just about any type of work is being struck by a falling object. Any time you are working underneath something or work is being done above you, there is the danger of being struck by a falling object.
Lumber, debris, beams, machinery, tools, buckets, concrete blocks, pieces of ceiling or light fixtures are all examples of objects that can fall and cause a workplace injury.
It is the duty of your employer to make sure that your work environment is safe and that they have instituted the appropriate safety precautions to protect you from being struck by a falling object. This may involve several things, such as:
Having all equipment and machinery working right and being safe to use
Ensuring that you know about the dangers of items that are transported or stored at height
Seeing that you have the right safety equipment
Making sure that items are securely and safely stored at height
Ensuring that racks, shelves or harnesses are safe and strong enough to secure and support items that are stored at height.
Being struck by a falling object on the job in your workplace may result in minor to serious injuries. Minor injuries can include cuts, abrasions and bruises. Severe work injuries can include serious head injuries, such as a concussion or fracture of your head that leads to brain damage. Other serious injuries from being struck by an object on the job are blunt force trauma, paralysis or amputations. The most severe work place injuries can be permanently debilitating.
You may have been injured on the job due to being struck by a falling object. If so, you may be entitled workers’ compensation benefits for lost wages and medical expenses related to your work place accident.
Has your employer refused to give you workers compensation? Has your employer threatened to fire you if you apply for workers’ compensation?
Do not let the threats of your employer frighten or intimidate you. According to law, you have a right to workers’ compensation benefits when you are injured on the job. This is true no matter whether you were or were not at fault for the accident. Additionally, it is against the law for your employer to fire you for applying for workers’ compensation.
If you have suffered a severe work injury it may be time to contact the work comp lawyers at www.usworkerscomp.com concerning your workers’ compensation benefits.
