South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
Although most employers in the United States generally take the necessary measures to keep workers safe, many employees in today’s workforce are still at risk for serious injury. Accidents happen and sometimes injury victims are left with high medical bills and lost income from missing work.
It is critical to understand your legal rights and how your employer may be held liable for your damages, such as lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. Furthermore, if you lost a loved one in a workplace accident, surviving family members may be able to recover these funds, along with funeral and burial costs. Speaking to a qualified lawyer may be crucial to obtain the full and fair amount of compensation you may legally deserve.
The compassionate lawyers at the law office of Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers understand the struggles injury victims and their families face when bills pile up and you cannot return to work. This is why our team of legal professionals is available to answer your work injury questions in a no-cost, initial consultation.
Our firm has over 40 years of combined legal experience, while obtaining more than $200 million combined in successful verdicts and settlements, on behalf of our past clientele. Our experienced attorneys know how to thoroughly investigate work injury claims to help you hold negligent employers responsible for damages sustained.
Read below to learn about how employers in Florida can be held accountable for a serious injury that occurs at the workplace and what you need to do to become eligible for compensation. Knowing your rights to legal compensation could help you seek the funds you need for a speedy recovery.
When Can an Employer Be Held Liable?
Every employer in Florida is required by law to follow certain safety standards put in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). When an employer is found to have violated these standards, injury victims could hold the company accountable for any injury-related costs, including loss of income if you are too injured to return to work.
Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Law allows for injured workers to file a workers’ compensation claim against the company’s insurer. The injury must have typically occurred at the work site and during scheduled work hours.
Even if you share some fault for the accident, the employer may still be held liable, depending on the details of the situation. However, if you failed to use the recommended safety equipment, found to have been deviating from the job, or any other negligent behavior, the employer may not be held liable. Having a reliable attorney on your side is highly recommended for this type of situation. This allows for your legal rights to be protected so you can pursue the compensation you deserve.
Workplace Violations That Can Cause Serious Injuries
While there may be a multitude of ways a worker can be injured on the job, some common workplace violations that are known to cause serious injuries include:
- Failure to install hazardous equipment guards for dangerous workplace machinery.
- Lack of eyewear protection to protect against blindness.
- Failure to provide proper lung/respirator protection in the work area.
- Inadequate fall protection training, including construction area safety.
- Improper scaffolding to avoid dangerous falls.
- Failure to comply with labor laws that relate to hazard communication.
While most employers may appear to have safety measures in check, there are many instances where struggling businesses may choose to cut corners to cut back on safety improvements. Regardless, if it is found that your injury was the result of one of the above violations, you may be able to hold your employer liable for damages.
What Causes Work-Related Injuries?
Although most work-related injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents involving delivery drivers, there are various other causes for injuries at the workplace. Some of the more common injury claims are the result of:
- Transportation accidents
- Slips and falls/trips and falls
- Construction accidents
- Electrocutions
- Burn injuries
- Ladder and scaffolding accidents
- Falls from a height
- Backup accidents
- Pinned between vehicles or other objects
- Machinery accidents
- Manual labor injuries
- Exposure to hazardous, toxic, or harmful substances
- Falling objects
- Machine entanglement
You may think working in a safe and quiet office environment is an optimal way to avoid a workplace injury. However, even a spilled cup of coffee can lead to a serious slip and fall injury. Unfortunately, many employers try to avoid liability by downplaying injuries and failing to report them to their insurer. Cases like these should be evaluated by a licensed attorney who has experience handling workers’ compensation claims.
Call an Attorney You Can Count On
When it comes to serious workplace injuries, victims and their families can sometimes feel overwhelmed with unexpected obstacles such as pain and suffering, lost income from missing work, hefty medical expenses, and other costs associated with the injury. It is highly advised to consult with a legal professional who can help you learn your rights to seek legal compensation for your damages. Having an attorney you can count on could help you hold your employer accountable so that you can seek the full amount of compensation you legally deserve.
The work injury attorneys at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers are prepared to listen to the details of your work injury claim in a no-cost, initial evaluation. Our firm has more than four decades of combined legal experience, handling more than 6,000 cases combined. Together, we have amassed over $200,000,000 combined in successful verdicts and settlements on behalf of our past clients.
Our dedicated attorneys are active members in serving our local community, and we aim to protect the rights of serious injury victims in the Fort Lauderdale area and beyond (by appointment only). We know how to properly apply workers’ compensation laws to help injured workers seek the compensation they need for a healthy recovery.
Call our firm anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to set up your free consultation. There is no obligation needed and your information is kept completely confidential, so there is never any risk in contacting us today.
Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers. We never settle for less. Ph: (561) 800-8000.