Cleveland Workplace Injury Lawyer

Everyone expects to go to work and come home healthy and injury free. All it takes is one workplace accident for life to change, either temporarily or permanently. Before you know it, you won’t be able to enjoy your life as you once knew it, because you’re in too much pain from your injury. More than likely, you won’t be able to work either. Your livelihood – and your entire life – could change in a single moment, all because you were hurt on the job.

Unfortunately, this is an all too common experience. In this type of situation, it is important to work with an injury lawyer to prepare your workers compensation claim. There are protections available for workers who suffer workplace accidents and lost wages. You may also need medical treatment and have mounting medical bills. I’ve been a personal injury attorney for over 40 years, and therefore have the experience getting workers compensation benefits for injure workers in Cleveland, Oh. Call me today, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®

Is Your Job Dangerous? Protect Yourself at Work

Company Policies and Workers Compensation

Most businesses have to follow OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards. This doesn’t mean you won’t get injured while at work. These safety policies may be rescinded the second regulators walk out the door. When the company you work for places a larger emphasis on productivity than they do safety, those regulations fly out the window. Your health may be at risk. These rules are forgotten and shortcuts are implemented. Those shortcuts can lead to any number of debilitating injuries.

Cleveland personal injury lawyers protect workers when they have suffered workplace injuries. It is important to fulfill your job duties. It is equally as important for your employer to provide you with safety equipment, to keep you safe from harm or toxic exposure that otherwise may result in an occupational disease. For your workers compensation claim in Cleveland, Oh you need to contact me today!

Be Your Own Safety Advocate

It’s nice to believe that the company you work for is keeping an eye on your safety. They want their workers to be safe so that they can continue being productive, right? The reality is that this isn’t the case at all. The higher-ups in your company are more concerned with their bottom line than they are the health and safety of their employees. You need to take matters into your own hands, and be your own safety advocate. This means stepping up and saying something when you’re in a dangerous situation. You may even find yourself confronting your supervisor and saying “no” when asked to do the job in an inappropriate manner. While this can lead to serious repercussions, you need to remember that nothing is more important than your health.

Common Workplace Injuries

• Repetitive Stress Injures – Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) are caused by repeated motions that gradually damage tendons, ligaments, muscles, or nerves. They commonly affect areas on the upper body, such as the shoulders, elbows, or wrists, but can also affect other areas like the back, knees, and ankles. Workers who perform repetitive tasks, such as assembly line workers or those who use computers for extended periods, are at a higher risk for developing RSIs in the workplace. Many injured workers suffer pain from long term repetitive motions, not just from an accident. Your workers compensation claim for a repetitive stress injury is just as legitimate as an injury resulting from an accident.

• Slip and Fall – In the workplace, slips, trips, and falls can occur in any industry and can be caused by more than wet or slippery floors. Often times uneven surfaces, cluttered walkways, inadequate lighting, or improper footwear can cause falls. It is important for employers to take steps to prevent slip and fall injuries. Providing slip-resistant flooring, maintaining good lighting, and requiring employees to wear appropriate footwear. Your personal injury may feel like it was clumsy, and although not the cause of defective equipment, your employer has an obligation to keep all walkways safe.

• Back and Neck– Accidents in the workplace can cause various back and neck injuries. Injuries include broken bones, spinal trauma, muscle strains, herniated discs, and joint sprains. Your employer should provide proper training on lifting techniques, maintain a safe work environment, and offer ergonomic solutions to prevent workplace injuries. Workers in Cleveland, Oh deserve a personal injury lawyer who protects their rights. Let’s talk about your workers’ compensation claim today.

• Burns and Electrocution– Electrocution is very serious and can cause burns, tissue damage, or even death, depending on the type of current, voltage, and how quickly the injured worker is treated. Employers should provide proper training and personal protective equipment to prevent electrical accidents and minimize workplace injury. If you’ve suffered a workplace electrocution resulting in severe injuries, call me! I will meet with your day or night, at your convenience, to discuss your workers injury claim. I’ll Make Them Pay!®

• Machinery Accidents– Equipment and machinery accidents are one of the most common causes of workplace accidents in Cleveland, Oh and throughout the US. Machinery or equipment accidents can result from factors such as improper use, lack of maintenance, or malfunction. Proper training and personal protective equipment to prevent machinery accidents should be provided by all employers. If you’ve suffered a personal injury from a machinery mishap, be sure to document everything. Document how the injury occurred, when it occurred, your resulting injuries and medical care. This information is vital for a successful work injury claim and possible personal injury lawsuit.

• Construction Accidents– Construction accidents can result in serious injuries and death. It is essential for construction workers to follow safety protocols. Employers must also provide proper training and well maintained equipment to prevent accidents from occurring.

Do you need an injury attorney for your workers compensation claim? Call me today for your free consultation.

Proper Personal Protective Equipment

If you have a dangerous occupation, then you’re probably familiar with PPE or personal protective equipment. Examples include: hard hats, heavy duty gloves, and even steel-toed boots. You may also have to wear a reflective safety vest while working so that motorists or your fellow employees can clearly see you, especially in the dark. Your employers are required to supply you with the items you need to perform your job safely. If they don’t, then you may have recourse, especially if you’re injured on a worksite. You shouldn’t have to purchase your own safety gear. Filing a successful workers comp claim for your personal injury requires good record keeping. Be sure to write down your protective equipment history.

OSHA Regulations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency created to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees. OSHA’s mission is to set and enforce workplace safety standards, and to provide training, outreach, education, and assistance to employers and employees.

OSHA sets safety standards that employers must comply with to protect their employees from workplace hazards. These standards cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Hazard communication

• Respiratory protection

• Bloodborne pathogens

• Fall protection

• Electrical safety

• Personal protective equipment

Employers must also keep records of workplace injuries and illnesses, and report serious incidents to OSHA.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created OSHA to enforce these standards and ensure safe and healthy working conditions for all employees. Under the Act, employers are required to provide a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm. Employers must also comply with OSHA standards and regulations. Employees must be provided with information, training, and equipment necessary to perform their jobs safely.

In addition to OSHA, the Act also created the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to research workplace health and safety issues. NIOSH provides scientific research and recommendations to OSHA to help improve workplace safety and health.

Be the Whistleblower

Stepping up and alerting authorities about your workplace’s lack of safety regulations makes you a whistleblower. There are laws in place to protect you and those like you who are brave enough to stand up for their own safety. This doesn’t mean your employers won’t sanction you, cut your work hours, dock your pay, or demote you as a punishment. These are all illegal actions, and as a whistleblower your rights must be protected.

When it comes to your safety, you shouldn’t be afraid to speak up and demand that your employer follows OSHA guidelines. You deserve the right to protect your health. After all, you should be able to enjoy your free time outside of work. If you know your employer is cutting corners on employee safety, then by all means, stand up and say something. The law is on your side.

Have You Been Injured at Work or Reprimanded for Protecting Your Own Safety?

If you’ve essentially been punished by your employer for protecting your own safety or for filing a workers’ compensation claim, call me now. If your employer knowingly ignored safety protocols, leading to an the job injury, I am the workers comp attorney who can help. It’s my job to ensure you are justly compensated for your work injuries. If your safety, and that of your co-workers was compromised because your employer conveniently overlooked safety protocols, reach out to me today. Too many employers overlook safety regulations in favor of profit. This infuriates me, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®