You work hard to earn your living; regardless of the specific industry in which you find yourself, however, there’s always a risk that you could be injured on the job. Unfortunately, when this occurs, you may not receive the financial compensation you’re entitled to if you fail to take the necessary legal steps right away. Read on to learn more about the common causes of workplace accidents, their frequency in California, and what you should do if you get hurt at work.
Common Causes of Workplace Accidents
There are many different and common causes of on-the-job accidents across the country and particularly in California. Some of the most frequently reported incidents include:
- slips and falls
- asbestos exposure
- equipment/machinery injuries
- accidents in company vehicles
Of course, this isn’t an extensive list of possible workplace injuries. Any incident or accident that occurs on an employer’s property (even in a company vehicle) and results in the injury of a worker is considered an on-the-job accident.
Work-Related Accidents in California
Unfortunately, work-related accidents are all too common in the state of California. It’s estimated that there are around 30,000 reported non-fatal workplace injuries across the state each year. Furthermore, there are an estimated 500 work-related deaths in California each year. Sadly, most accidents are 100% preventable.
What to Do if You’re Injured at Work
If you work in California, it’s important that you understand how to exercise your rights following a workplace injury. The first thing you’ll want to do is to begin working with an experienced and dedicated personal injury attorney. Specifically, try to find a lawyer who has extensive experience and proven success in handling cases similar to yours (for example, if you were injured in a fall at work, look for an attorney who specializes in falls).
Furthermore, be sure that you report your accident as soon as possible to your employer; this will involve filing an official incident report with management, which should then be reviewed and submitted to your employer’s workers compensation insurance company so that your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the incident will be covered. It’s also a good idea to get as many pictures of the area where the accident took place as possible.
By following these steps, and by having the right personal injury lawyer on your side every step of the way, you’ll have the best chances of receiving the workers compensation funds you’re entitled to. From there, you can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back to work when possible.
Eric Wagner is an experienced personal injury attorney and helps people just like you to recover the money you need to pay the expenses relating to your accident on the Job. From our offices in Richmond California, we proudly serve clients in Contra Costa, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the surrounding cities. If you are involved in an accident in the work place, the law allows us to help you receive compensation for a multitude of losses due to negligence. Please contact a us today at (855) 529-4465, for a free initial consultation.