Tesla has come under fire lately, and not only because of the antics of its CEO. They’ve had many reports of safety issues at their factories, especially as they rush to produce their Model 3 sedan. They say they’ve reduced the injury rate by 10 percent this year and cut down on serious injuries as well at their Fremont factory.
Injuries at Tesla factories are nothing new. They’ve come under fire for years for their workplace environment. In 2016, one worker even had to have his leg amputated after he was hit with a forklift at work. Worksafe released a report showing that Tesla factory injury rates were higher than the rates for other auto manufacturers.
While Tesla may be in the news, workplace accidents happen every day and in every type of work environment. From offices to construction, accidents happen.
It’s not something you expect when you head to work each day. Nobody plans on getting injured. The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases annual reports on workplace safety and the numbers are always staggering. Even though total workplace accidents have declined over the last decade, there were still about 2.9 million in 2016. Common workplace accidents include lacerations, strains and sprains, broken bones, or other trauma. Workplace injuries don’t always arise after a one-time accident. Sometimes, employees get repetitive stress injuries from performing the same motion over and over again for a long-period of time.
A workplace incident should be covered by workers compensation insurance. This includes coverage for any injury or illness that was caused by work, even if you were at fault for the accident (unless the employee was intoxicated by drugs or alcohol). Workers compensation covers hospital and medical bills, as well as disability payments if you are unable to work. This is usually about two-thirds of what your normal pay would be, but each state has its own regulations.
In cases when someone else’s negligence caused your workplace accident, you may need to consider further legal action, such as a premises liability lawsuit. If you have to work around dangerous materials or machinery and your employer does not provide proper equipment and training, they could be held liable for any injury you sustain.
Also, if you are forced to work long hours, beyond what should be allowed, and you get hurt due to exhaustion, you may have a claim against your employer.
A workplace injury can put a financial strain on you and your family. With medical bills piling and a lost ability to work, you may not be able to live off of what workers compensation is offering. Worse, if an employer challenges your workers compensation claim, you may find yourself with no income at all. If you’ve been hurt at work and denied proper coverage, or you believe someone else’s negligence caused your injury, then you may need a workplace injury lawyer in Los Angeles, CA. At the Law Offices of Kropach & Kropach, our experienced attorneys are standing by to help. For a free consultation, you can contact us by clicking here or calling us at 818-609-7005.
