What is Considered a Workplace Injury?
If you’ve been injured at work, you may be wondering if you have a case against your employer. After all, accidents happen all the time, and not every accident is the result of someone else’s negligence. However, there are certain types of accidents that are more likely to be considered workplace injuries than others.
For example, if you slip and fall at work, you may have a case if your employer failed to maintain a safe workplace. Similarly, if you’re injured by a piece of equipment at work, you may have a case if the equipment was defective or improperly maintained.
Of course, not all workplace injuries will be so clear-cut. If you’re not sure whether you have a case, the best thing to do is speak with a Houston workplace injury lawyer. An experienced work injury attorney will be able to review the facts of your case and help you determine whether you have a claim.
Ask a Houston Work Injury Lawyer: What Are My Rights After a Workplace Injury in Texas?
If you’ve been injured at work in Texas, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a system of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured on the job. In most cases, workers’ compensation will cover your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages.
Not all employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, if your employer does carry workers’ compensation insurance, you may be required to seek benefits through that system before filing a personal injury lawsuit. Of course, there are some exceptions to this rule. If your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, or if your injuries were caused by someone other than your employer (such as a co-worker), you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you’ve been injured at work, it’s important to speak with an experienced Houston workplace injury lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Common Workplace Accidents in Texas
There are many different types of workplace accidents that can occur in Texas. Below are some of the most common types of workplace injuries suffered by workers in the field:
Slips, trips, and falls
Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common types of workplace injuries. This includes incidents in which workers:
- Slip on an icy, oily, or wet floor
- Trip due to unprotected sides or holes, poor lighting, or clutter
- Fall off ladders, roofs, or skyscraper construction areas
- Inadequate warnings or markings on dangerous walkway conditions
Struck by workers, equipment, or falling objects
Workplace injuries of this nature are commonly caused by:
- Poorly guarded machinery
- Falling tools, debris, or materials
- A part of the worker’s body being caught in a wire or gears
- Dropped loads
- Pressure between the person and the source of the injury
- The tipping over of heavy equipment
- Bumping into an object or equipment
- Being pushed into a hard surface of any kind
Fire and explosions
Fires and explosions can burn body tissue, cause severe damage to respiratory systems, and potentially cause disfigurement.
- Injury caused by the blast wave unique to high-order explosions
- Injury due to flying objects or debris displaced by the blast wind
- Injury due to collapsing structures
- Injury during evacuation
- Inhalation/exposure to toxic substances released in connection with an explosion
What Damages Can I Recover After a Texas Workplace Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to recover a variety of damages. These may include:
Medical expenses
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Disfigurement or disability
If your loved one was killed in a workplace accident, you may also be able to recover funeral and burial expenses, as well as damages for your loss.
Contact a Houston Workplace Injury Attorney Now
If you or someone you love has suffered a workplace injury, call the experienced work injury lawyers at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner at 713-222-7211 or toll-free at 1-800-594-4884 for a personal injury consultation.