Why You Need an Industrial Accident Attorney in Owensboro, Kentucky

Industrial workplace injuries hit a record low in 2014, the result of aggressive efforts to improve Kentucky’s abysmal death and health rankings.

However, industrial injuries still occur regularly, so it is essential to understand your options if you or a loved one suffers a workplace injury.

The severity and consequences of many industrial accidents and industrial injuries range from a few hours of rest to extensive medical treatment.

In the most severe industrial accident cases, industrial workers struggle to return to their previous job duties, necessitating ongoing support and assistance.

What to Do After an Industrial Accident to Protect Your Rights

If you’re involved in an industrial accident, these actions will protect your rights:

• Seek immediate medical attention: Prioritize your physical and emotional well-being by seeking prompt medical care to evaluate all injuries suffered.
• Report the workplace accident: Notify your supervisor and complete any necessary documentation about the incident and accident victims.
• Document what happened: Capture photographs of the accident scene, including any machinery or hazards involved, and gather witness statements.
• Consult with a legal professional: Seek guidance from an experienced industrial accident attorney to understand your legal rights and explore fair compensation.
• Notify relevant authorities: Report the accident to appropriate regulatory agencies or authorities, including OSHA, KOSHA, and MSHA.
• Don’t discuss the incident: Avoid discussing your industrial accident with anyone other than your attorney, especially your employer’s insurance company or workers comp representative.

If you’ve been injured in an industrial accident, it is extremely important to speak with an industrial accident attorney.

Contact our law firm by email or call 888-709-9329 for a free consultation on your industrial accident or workers compensation claim.

Types of Compensation You Can Receive from an Industrial Injury Claim

There are two primary avenues for seeking maximum compensation when injured in an industrial accident.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits: If you are involved in a work-related injury, workers’ compensation benefits may include payment for medical expenses, lost wages, and workers’ compensation for disabilities resulting from the accident.

Personal Injury Compensation: An injured worker may file a personal injury claim in industrial accident cases where third-party negligence (other than the direct employer) contributes to the industrial accident.

Workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits can cover various economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical Treatment Costs: Workers can seek full and fair compensation for medical expenses, including doctor visits, medications, emergency room visits, therapy, and recovery equipment.
• Disability Benefits: Workers may receive disability benefits when they are temporarily totally, temporarily partially, permanently totally, or permanently partially disabled.
• Rehabilitation Benefits: Rehabilitation benefits help injured workers develop new skills and return to work.
• Death and Funeral Services: Survivors may receive death and funeral benefits, which can help with their loved ones lost wages and funeral expenses.

Call our law firm at 888-709-9329 or email us to discuss how our industrial accident lawyers can help you pursue the maximum possible compensation for your pain and suffering.

Who is Liable for an Industrial Accident?

Employers are responsible for creating a safe work environment with a few limited exceptions, including providing training, protocols, and protective gear. There are certainly times where you can file a third-party claim because someone other than your employer is partially or fully responsible for your accident.

Employers who fail to keep their property or construction site safe can be held responsible for industrial accidents that harm you and/or your coworkers, through enhance workers’ compensation benefits.

Industrial injury law is closely related to workers’ compensation, as it’s the compensation method for most workplace injuries.

Industrial accident attorneys can help you file a personal injury, product liability, wrongful death lawsuit, or a workers’ comp claim to prove your employer’s negligence or the negligence of a third-party.

Pursuing workers’ compensation for industrial injury claims can be tricky, and the advice of an experienced personal injury industrial accident lawyer is crucial to protecting your rights.

With over 50 years of experience and millions recovered for injured workers, Rhoads & Rhoads knows how to get maximum compensation for your personal injury claim.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an industrial accident, contact our team of experienced injury lawyers today to get the help you deserve.

Common Causes and Types of Industrial Accidents

Industrial workers in unsafe conditions or work-related travel environments are particularly vulnerable to job-related and motor vehicle accidents.

Mild, moderate, or severe injury from these common industrial accidents are typically preventable.

Common factors that contribute to many workplace accidents include:

• Defective products:Product failure due to an unreasonably dangerous product or one that is defective.
• Lack of safety equipment: Inadequate provision of essential safety gear exposes workers to unnecessary risks and increases the likelihood of accidents.
• Failure to follow OSHA safety protocols: Ignoring OSHA regulations can result in higher accident rates.
• Insufficient training: Inadequate training on safety procedures and protocols leaves employees ill-prepared to navigate potential hazards, leading to an increased risk of accidents.
• Exposure to toxic chemicals or other hazards: Working on a job site with hazardous substances without proper safety measures can result in chemical-related accidents and health complications.
• Falling objects or debris: Failure to secure materials or equipment adequately can lead to falling objects or debris, posing a significant risk.
• Plant explosions: Poor maintenance practices or neglecting safety protocols in an industrial environment can lead to catastrophic explosions that endanger lives.
• Hiring unqualified workers: Employers can be held accountable if they’ve hired staff without the necessary skills or qualifications to do the job safely.
• Negligent inspections or maintenance: Failure to regularly inspect equipment or facilities increases the risk of accidents caused by equipment failure or structural issues.

Common Injuries Caused by Industrial Accidents

Industrial workers constantly face hazards that can lead to severe injuries and even fatalities.

The most common types of industrial accident injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Sudden blows or jolts can result in TBIs, which can have long-lasting effects on cognitive and physical functioning.
• Spinal Cord Injury: Severe industrial accidents can damage the spinal cord, resulting in paralysis or loss of sensation below where the person was injured.
• Burns: Toxic exposure to chemicals, heat, or electrical sources in an industrial setting can cause severe burns, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
• Loss of limbs: Defective machinery accidents or explosions in industrial workplaces can lead to traumatic amputations, causing permanent disability and profound psychological effects.
• Neck and Back Injuries: Strains, sprains, or herniated discs are caused by heavy lifting, repetitive motions, or sudden impacts. The person injured typically suffers chronic pain and disability.
• Crushed or Broken Bones: The force of industrial machinery or equipment can cause fractures or crush injuries to bones, leading to significant pain and impairment.
• Eye Injuries: Exposure to debris or intense light sources can cause industrial accidents, which can result in eye injuries ranging from minor irritation to permanent vision loss.
• Diseases contracted through chemicals or processes: Prolonged exposure to hazardous substances can lead to occupational diseases such as respiratory disorders, skin conditions, or certain types of cancer that incur significant medical expenses.

• Head Injuries: Industrial accidents can cause head trauma ranging from concussions to more severe injuries, potentially resulting in long-term complications.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Emotional distress after serious injuries is common, especially if you have to revisit the circumstances surrounding your injury. Mental pain and suffering
• Death: Tragically, industrial accidents can result in fatalities. Injuries sustained affect injured people and their loved ones and co-workers.

Industrial accident injuries vary widely based on your work environment. If you’ve suffered an injury that’s not on this list, please get in touch with us today to discuss your options.

Contact Rhoads & Rhoads Industrial Accident Lawyers – No Recovery, No Fee

Our law firm, Rhoads & Rhoads, has offices in Owensboro and Madisonville.

We are known for representing those injured in industrial accidents and winning product liability cases throughout Western Kentucky.

Call for a free consultation to discuss your serious injury and your legal options with an industrial accident lawyer.

Our industrial accident attorneys get paid only if we win or settle your case, so NO RISK is involved.

Call our law firm at 888-709-9329 or contact us by email to schedule an appointment with one of our Madisonville or Owensboro personal injury lawyers.