Portland Industrial Accident Attorney

Employers have a duty of care to keep their employees safe in work environments. Sometimes employers are negligent in that duty, and accidents occur. Employers who fail to provide their employees with adequate safety training or with the proper safety equipment they need to do their job can cause devastating industrial accidents in the workplace. Third parties are also sometimes responsible for workplace accidents, such as manufacturers of defective machines.

If you have been injured in an industrial accident, then you could be entitled to collect workers’ compensation benefits – regardless of who was at fault for your injury. These benefits help cover costs related to the accident, such as medical expenses, a portion of your lost earnings, and other expenses. You may also be eligible for compensation in a third-party injury claim.

At Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., we are fiercely committed to fighting for workers’ rights. Our experienced attorney has the knowledge and resources to help you navigate the complex claims process and pursue the compensation you need to recover financially.

What Is an Industrial Accident?

An industrial accident occurs when a worker is injured on the job. Many types of industrial accidents could occur, and responsible employers can prevent most of them. Industrial accidents typically result from an unsafe work environment or unsafe acts, which can often be traced back to a negligent employer.

For instance, if an employer provides an employee with a piece of defective equipment, that could cause the employee to sustain an injury. If the work environment does not have adequate safety protections for workers or a gas leak has gone unrepaired, that puts an employee at risk of harm.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, has outlined rules and regulations that employers must follow to protect their employees from workplace injuries. Under federal law, workers are entitled to certain rights and protections, including:

• Employers must provide their employees with adequate safety and health training so that they can safely perform their job.
• Employers must provide their employees with safe machinery and equipment.
• Employers are required to provide employees with the safety equipment they need to do their job.
• Employers have an obligation to protect their employees from toxic or hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
• Employers must provide their employees with protection from falls.
• Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against their employees if employees speak up about possible workplace hazards.

Statistics About Industrial Accidents in Portland

Fatal industrial accidents are on the rise. In just one recent year, a staggering 5,333 workers across the country suffered fatal injuries in the workplace, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This was up 2 percent from the previous year when 5,250 workers were fatally injured in the workplace. The BLS also reported that private industry employees suffered 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries during just one year.

According to the National Safety Council, 84 percent of non-fatal injuries that require an employee to take time away from work to recover are due to one of three main factors:

• Overexertion and bodily reaction
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Contact with objects and equipment

Common Causes of Industrial Accidents

Nearly all industrial accidents occur because of an unsafe work environment or unsafe acts in the workplace. Some of the most common causes of industrial accidents include:

Different Common Types of Industrial Accidents

Many different types of industrial accidents occur on the job, and they may vary by industry and by the duties of the employee. Some of the most common types of industrial accidents across the board include:

Types of Injuries Caused by Industrial Accidents

Industrial accidents can result in a variety of injuries ranging from mild to severe. Examples of common types of injuries from industrial accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries – Traumatic brain injuries typically occur because of a violent blow to the head. TBIs can range from minor concussions to life-threatening subdural hematomas. TBIs can also affect brain functions such as reasoning, memory, personality, and emotion.
• Neck and back injuries – Injuries to the neck, back, and spinal cord area may range from a pinched nerve or a ruptured disc to a severe vertebrae fracture. The spinal cord delivers messages from the brain to the rest of the body’s central nervous system, and if the spine is damaged, it can affect every area of the body.
• Paralysis – Paralysis can occur if the spinal cord is injured. A broken spine could leave a person paralyzed in the lower extremities or both the lower and upper extremities depending on where the injury occurs.
• Loss of the use of a limb or an amputation – Defective machinery or lack of proper safety equipment could cause a worker to lose the use of a limb or lose the limb entirely.
• Wrongful death – In the most severe cases, unsafe work environments or unsafe acts can cause an employee to sustain fatal injuries.

How a Portland Industrial Accident Lawyer Can Help

Workers’ compensation cases are complex, and getting the full benefits you need can be challenging. At Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., we are ready to work meticulously to gather evidence to support your case and ultimately build a compelling claim on your behalf.

We will guide you through every step of the workers’ compensation claims process and also advise you on what steps you can take to protect your right to benefits, such as seeking immediate medical attention, following your doctor’s orders, and notifying your supervisor of your illness or injury as soon as possible.

We will also be prepared to advocate aggressively for your rights if your workers’ comp claim is denied or if you believe the benefits you received are too low. We have the skills and resources needed to appeal a denied claim.

In some cases, a non-employer third party might be to blame. For example, manufacturers of defective machines or parts, an employee of a contractor on-site, or other third-party vendors could be liable. That means you may be able to pursue compensation in a third-party personal injury lawsuit. We will work carefully to identify the parties who may be responsible for your losses.

How Much Is My Industrial Injury Case Worth?

If you have been injured in an industrial accident, you may be entitled to collect workers’ compensation for certain expenses related to the accident, including:

• Medical expenses, including medical bills, surgeries, tests, medications, physical therapy, and more
• A portion of your lost income, if you are unable to perform your job and earn a living because of your injuries

Employers in Oregon are legally bound to carry workers’ compensation benefits for both full-time and part-time employees. Under workers’ compensation, you can recover compensation even if your employer was not the negligent party.

In some cases, workers’ compensation isn’t the only option. What if the industrial accident was caused by the manufacturer of a defective device, for instance? In that case, you may be able to bring a third-party personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturer and seek compensation for other types of losses that workers’ compensation doesn’t cover, such as pain and suffering.

Consult with a Portland Industrial Accident Attorney Today

If you suffered injuries in an industrial accident, contact Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C. today. We will advise you on how to handle every step of your claim, and we’re prepared to advocate for your rights if your claim was denied or you believe the benefits you were offered are too low. We’re ready to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.