Jacksonville Industrial Accident Lawyers
Farah & Farah has been representing construction site accident victims since we opened our doors in downtown Jacksonville in 1979. An industrial accident can result in the pollution of an entire area of a town, state or waterway, such as a refinery oil spill, a discharge of toxic gases or radiation that can erupt in industrial fires and explosions. These accidents can affect huge areas and be international in scope.
Then there are accidents that occur on-site and injure fewer people who are injured by defective machinery, ladders, furnaces, pressure valves, and electrical wires, among other problems in the workplace. Injuries can range from catastrophic head injury and a broken back, to a cut on the finger.
These are often preventable accidents and if the employer knew about them ahead of time but failed to fix the defective machinery or workplace hazard, he may be liable. Additionally, if there is a third party involved in defective machinery, a Jacksonville product liability lawsuit may be filed by an injured worker. Generally in Florida, workers’ compensation does not allow the injured employee to file an action against his employer, unless the situation was egregious and repeatedly ignored or covered up.
Fatalities in the Workplace
According to OSHA, 12 workers die on the job every day and there are 3.3 million workers seriously injured on the job every year. OSHA reports the industries with the highest rates of accidents occur in mining, construction, agriculture and transportation.
In 2010, OSHA listed the top 10 most frequently cited standards. They involve scaffolding, fall protection, hazard communication, respiratory protection, ladders, lockout, electrical and wiring, and machine guarding.
A worker can fall on the job, be struck by a moving object, die in a cave in by a structure collapse, be exposed to toxic and harmful chemicals or be caught in machinery or in an industrial fire. Investigators generally try to determine if the worker was unsafe or the conditions were unsafe. Industrial accidents resulting from unsafe conditions can include inadequate lighting, slippery floors, loud noise, unstable structures and defective machines, dangerous electrical problems among others.
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. You must contact law enforcement to come to the accident scene immediately following an accident and also seek medical treatment. At that time, it is also important to consult with a Jacksonville industrial accident attorney who can protect your legal rights including obtaining the compensation you deserve for pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.
