Does Your Job Have You Working From Heights?

We know that workplace injuries are a reality. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were around 2.8 million workplace injuries or illnesses in 2017. Of course, there are certain industries that are more dangerous than others, ones that tend to cause more severe injuries.

One thing we do know is that falls are one of the main causes of injuries. According to reports by the NIOSH:

• 42% of deaths between 2982 and 2015 in construction involved falls
• 54% of those had no fall-arrest system in place
• 20% of the deaths happened to workers in their first two months on the job

At the Law Offices of Kropach & Kropach, we recognize that injuries happen in many different ways and in all industries. If you need a Los Angeles on the job injury attorney, contact us today so we can work on getting you the compensation you deserve.

What goes wrong?

Looking at the bullet points above, we can pinpoint two major problems when it comes to workplace falls:

• Insufficient training
• Lack of safety gear

For both of those issues, it is vital that employers are proactive. Regardless of how long a worker has been in the industry, it is important to have ongoing safety training. This is especially true when new equipment is introduced or when they are working in unfamiliar areas. Often, workers are allowed to perform jobs that they have little to no training in.

Employers should also provide all safety gear required to perform a job safely. OSHA data shows that falls from heights remained the leading cause of workplace deaths for the 2017-2018 years.

• The most cited violation of workplace safety was for a lack of fall protection.

Injuries from falls can be severe, even for falls of less than six feet. We commonly see the following injuries as a result of falls from heights:

• Spinal cord injuries (possible paralysis)
• Traumatic brain injuries/head injuries
• Broken or dislocated bones
• Crush injuries
• Major internal organ damage

Any of these injuries can leave a worker disabled and unable to work. If this happens, they will lose their ability to earn an income and benefits. Other costs include immeasurable pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life damages.

Will workers compensation cover all of these expenses?

What happens now?

If you or someone you love has been injured at work due to the negligence of another person and they are not getting the coverage they deserve, seek legal attention as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Kropach & Kropach, our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to step in on your behalf. If that means going toe to toe with your employer or insurance company, we will. We know you need coverage for your medical bills as well as for lost income for time away from work. When you need a Los Angeles on the job injury lawyer, you can contact us by clicking here or calling us at 818-609-7005.