Falling objects pose a significant danger to workers in several industries. Being hit with an object that falls from a height could cause permanent damage and even death.
Reach out to a local workers’ compensation attorney if you were hit by a falling object on the job and suffered injuries. A Fresno falling objects injury lawyer could help you file and pursue a workers’ compensation claim. In some cases, you might even be able to act against a third party to obtain the payments you deserve.
Construction workers often suffer injuries from falling objects. Given the nature of construction sites, a workers’ vulnerability to being hit by objects falling from a height is obvious. Any job site where people are working on different levels with open space risks falling object injuries. For instance, bridge repair workers, landscapers and tree trimmers, workers in mills and warehouses, and miners are all at risk of getting hurt by falling items.
Retail employees also risk injury from falling objects. Most retail establishments store or display merchandise up high, and many stores have signage and lights suspended from the ceiling. If not properly maintained, these items could fall and seriously injure a worker.
Finally, even office workers can get hurt by falling objects. For example, items stored on the higher shelves of closets or storage cabinets could dislodge and cause an injury. Regardless of the workplace, anyone who sustains an injury from a falling object at work could benefit from consulting a Fresno attorney.
Any object that falls from a height could be dangerous. The severity of the injury depends on the object’s size, weight, and where on the body it makes contact. Hard hats and other protection can reduce the severity of some head injuries, but significant injury can still occur even if a worker wears a safety helmet.
Many of the injuries an employee might sustain from being hit with a falling object could keep them out of work for a substantial period. Common injuries seen in these cases include:
Any of these injuries might leave a worker permanently disabled. In the worst cases, being hit by a falling object could lead to a coma or death. Thankfully, an employee in Fresno could work with a skilled lawyer to file a workers’ compensation claim and seek compensation for the consequences of a falling object injury.
Construction sites and similar environments often have several companies working on the site at once. If a worker from another company dropped an object or created a situation that caused something to fall, this third-party could be to blame for their employee’s negligence. For instance, a third-party contractor might be responsible for causing a heavy object to fall.
If a party other than their employer is responsible for a falling object injury, the injured worker could sue this third party for damages while also collecting workers’ compensation benefits. A Fresno attorney could investigate a falling object accident to determine whether an injured worker has a viable third-party claim.
If a falling object injured you while you were working, you can likely file a workers’ compensation claim and receive compensation. The workers’ compensation program typically pays for your medical care, lost wages, and any permanent impairment the injury causes. In some cases, you might also be able to file a claim against a negligent third party.
A Fresno falling objects injury lawyer could help you pursue your workers’ compensation benefits while investigating whether a third-party lawsuit is an option in your case. Reach out today to speak with a seasoned attorney.
