Workplace injuries fall into many categories that appear in most worker’s compensation insurance policies. The coverage and federal laws define the expectations of employers after an accident with injury occurs. OSHA regulations impose strict penalties against employers who fail to maintain a safe workplace.
Understanding the 4 most common personal injury cases starting in the workplace helps employers conduct risk assessments and mitigation more effectively.
- Fires and Explosions:
Fires and explosion cases result from inferior PPE or liabilities related to improper maintenance. Injuries occur when the company doesn’t follow proper precautions or meet OSHA regulations. In high-voltage areas, the greatest risk is an arc flash. The event creates temperatures that penetrate through the skin to the bone in seconds. A worker who isn’t wearing adequate PPE could die from their injuries.
In commercial property fires, a common issue is a lack of fire safety equipment. Federal laws require commercial property owners to have a fire extinguisher in every room of the property. Fire exit signs are visible at all times, and the company creates an escape route if a fire occurs. Any failure to comply with the regulations deems the employer liable for any resulting injuries.
- Commercial Auto Accidents:
Commercial auto accidents involve standard vehicles or 18-wheelers. The accidents could involve multiple vehicles or one vehicle and a work-related pedestrian. The cause of the accident defines liability.
Drivers who face restrictions due to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations present a logbook during the accident investigation. If the driver violated the federal laws, then they are liable for the accident along with their employer.
Employers who hire commercial drivers perform assessments and enforce regulations to mitigate the risk of an accident.
When they fail, then the employer faces financial losses due to federal penalties in addition to a potential lawsuit award. By visiting Vadnal.com, workers learn more about their rights under federal laws after a commercial auto accident.
- Accidents Involving Machinery or Equipment:
All machinery is maintained according to a strict schedule. According to work-related accident statistics, workers have been crushed between machinery parts, sustained severe burns, and died due to accidents involving machinery or equipment.
Maintenance protocol including lock out tag out protocol is required when machinery is faulty or dangerous to workers. The employer keeps a log of all repairs, replacements, and accidents involving their machinery and equipment. Companies that fail to perform maintenance are liable if workers become injured.
- Occupational Disease Development:
Although the building material was outlawed in the 1980s, cases of mesothelioma continue to surface. Unfortunately, the rare form of cancer isn’t the only occupation diseases that start in the workplace.
The top occupational diseases in addition to mesothelioma are lead poisoning, radiation illness, computer vision syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Each of the occupational diseases is actionable if the condition isn’t curable or causes a permanent disability. All terminal diseases are classified under permanent disabilities.
Federal laws and regulations define the criteria for a safer workplace. The laws outline conditions that could occur at work and how the employer mitigates the risks appropriately. In each environment, the employer is expected to enforce regulations and reduce the risk of an accident involving their workers. Reviewing common types of personal injuries in the workplace helps employers manage their workers and prevent avoidable injuries.
