Industrial Accident Lawyers El Paso, TX
Agriculture, oil and gas, and construction often involve working with dangerous chemicals and heavy equipment. Although these jobs can be financially rewarding, there are clear risks of injury and death for workers in these industries. If you or a loved one have been hurt, contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Farah Law personal injury attorney in Texas.
At Farah Law, we understand your concerns and can manage the overwhelming process of holding at-fault parties accountable for your injuries. We do not back down from large companies that want to push the blame on you. Starting with a free consultation, our El Paso industrial accident lawyers investigate what happened, who is responsible, and how we can maximize your compensation. Speak with our experienced El Paso lawyers today.
Causes of Industrial Accidents
When working with heavy machinery such as forklifts and construction equipment, it is vital that all employees follow proper protocols. This begins at the top of the hierarchy and must work its way down every person in a company. When there is horseplay in the workplace or inadequate safety rules and policies, the chance of someone being seriously hurt or killed on the job increases dramatically.
Common causes of industrial accidents include the following:
- Poor machinery design and manufacturing
- Inadequate safety guards on equipment
- Insufficient safety gear or failure of safety gear equipment
- Poor lighting or uneven flooring
- Falling objects
- Equipment malfunction from inadequate maintenance or repair
- Collisions between vehicles or from vehicles hitting workers
- Inclement weather
On oil rigs, workers can also suffer harm during rig construction and operation, often due to the toxic products and byproducts of this industry. On a construction site, employees risk falling from heights, being electrocuted, or being crushed by equipment or materials. In refineries, workers risk inhaling fumes or coming into contact with hazardous substances. Finally, explosions and industrial pollution at a chemical plant can endanger not only employees but their surrounding communities.
Many Industrial Accidents Can Be Traced to Human Error
While equipment may malfunction and weather cannot be controlled, nearly all injuries in industrial settings result from human negligence or carelessness. Negligence can mean someone acted in a negligent manner or failed to do what a reasonable person would have in the same situation. Workers who are exhausted, ill, or inexperienced can put many others at risk, meaning they may not be alone in contributing to your accident.
At Farah Law, our El Paso industrial accident attorneys are highly trained in identifying exactly who is at fault, how they contributed to your injuries, and how to hold them accountable. We work with workersā compensation insurance companies and pursue third-party personal injury lawsuits when necessary to secure the compensation you deserve. When you hire our law firm, you can focus on getting better while we fight to protect your rights.
Common Types of Industrial Accidents
Workplace injuries can happen in any environment, including office settings, but the majority of industrial accidents occur around heavy equipment and hazardous materials. Workers whose jobs involve electricity, assembly line machinery, and construction are at risk of catastrophic injuries and death. Some of the most common industrial accidents are:
- Broken bones and head trauma from falling off scaffolds or oil rigs
- Serious injuries from being struck by equipment or vehicles
- Respiratory damage from improper use or storage of gases or liquids
- Traumatic brain injuries from falling objects
- Burns from chemicals, fires, or electrocution
- Disfigurement from acids, loss of limb, or facial injuries
- Crushing injuries from collapsed trenches
Injured workers must seek medical care and report their accidents immediately. Many serious injuries require hospitalization and extensive recovery time, leaving victims uncertain how to pay their bills, especially when they were not at fault. A Farah Law personal injury lawyer can help you determine your legal options for securing financial relief.
When a worker passes away at the scene or from their injuries later on, their families have the right to file a wrongful death claim under Texas Statutes Section 71.001. They may seek compensation for the deceasedās medical bills incurred after the accident, as well as burial and funeral expenses. Our wrongful death lawyers in El Paso will manage the claim on the familyās behalf so they can focus on grieving their loved oneās loss.
I Have Been Injured at Work ā What Should I Do?
Your first action should be to seek medical care. Minor injuries may only require first aid treatment, but you may need to be transported to the hospital or told to see the company doctor for more serious injuries. If your employer carries insurance to cover workplace accidents, you could be eligible for income and medical care benefits.
You should report your industrial accident injury to your supervisor or manager as soon as possible, preferably in writing. This captures your recollection of the accident while it is still fresh in your mind, and it establishes that your injury occurred while you were working. These factors are critical to securing your benefits from the insurance company.
You do not need an attorney to manage your insurance claim for you, but you do have the right to use one under Texas law. Doing so can reduce your chances of a claim denial and could increase your benefits and compensation. If your company does not carry insurance or the insurer will not meet your demands, your attorney may advise you to move on to an industrial accident lawsuit.
Filing an Industrial Accident Lawsuit
Industrial workers in Texas may be unsure of their options after an accident, especially if the at-fault parties are people or entities outside the company. For example, it can be confusing to know what to do in these situations:
- The security company hired to protect your worksite fails to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering a fenced-off area. One of these individuals attacks you as you approach your vehicle, injuring you and stealing your car.
- An outside repair company fails to maintain inspection and repair schedules for heavy equipment, resulting in a fire or explosion that injures you at work.
- Visitors to the worksite do not follow protocols such as turning off cellphones near detonation work, causing a malfunction, and firing a planned explosion too soon. You and others are seriously harmed by shrapnel and falling debris.
- An inexperienced dump truck driver from a subcontractor hits scaffolding, causing it to fail and sending employees plummeting to the ground.
- A worker who has already clocked out begins roughhousing with another employee, causing a spill that makes you slip and fall, hitting your head on the concrete floor.
Multiple parties may be liable for these incidents, and it is crucial to develop a full understanding of all the factors in your industrial accident. Your Farah Law accident lawyer will determine who is liable by establishing their duty of care towards you and how they failed in that duty. Your personal injury attorney will also calculate the full value of your claim and help you document each loss, from your medical expenses to your lost income, while you recover.
The process of filing an industrial accident lawsuit can be more involved than filing an insurance claim, but it also may result in a higher settlement or jury award for your damages. Your attorney will interview witnesses, secure maintenance records, obtain photos and videos, and gather all relevant evidence to support your claim. We strive to reach an out-of-court settlement whenever possible but are prepared to litigate your claim to completion, including appeals if necessary.
How Long Can an Industrial Injury Claim Take?
It is difficult to determine how long your industrial injury claim will take to complete as every case is unique. Your case may settle quickly if your employer provides insurance and the insurance company approves your claim in full. If your personal injury lawyers must pursue a lawsuit, the discovery phase may last between a few weeks and a few months while settlement negotiations continue.
You must also wait until space is available on the courtās docket, or schedule, for your case. During this time, you can rely on high-quality and experienced legal representation from Farah Law to ensure your case moves forward. Even if you heal and return to your work environment, we keep negotiating for a satisfactory outcome, so you have the compensation you need.
Our El Paso personal injury lawyers remain focused on addressing your questions and concerns, regardless of how long your claim takes. We realize you may worry about your bills during this time, so in addition to a free consultation, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay our attorneyās fees unless we secure a settlement for you. Clients in industrial injury cases can feel at ease, knowing they do not have to pay upfront for superior legal representation.
El Paso Industrial Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been hurt in a workplace accident, you do not have to worry about whether you have a case or what to do if someone else is at fault. When you speak with the El Paso industrial accident lawyers at Farah Law, you are on the path to securing compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
Contact our injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation. We stand with accident victims and are ready to fight for you.
Contact usĀ today atĀ (915) 233-4297Ā to discuss your case and legal options to recover compensation with an experienced and caring car accident lawyer in El Paso!