Falling objects pose a serious injury risk in many workplaces. Have you or a loved one suffered from injuries resulting from this hazard? You may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim.
A San Diego falling objects injury lawyer at Silberman & Lam, LLP, could help you streamline this process and get total compensation.
Falling objects could include anything from small and light objects to large pieces of equipment and heavy machinery, which means the range of possible injuries is broad. This type of injury is referred to as blunt force trauma, with many of them being severe and life-threatening. Some of these injuries could include:
Many potential risk factors could increase the chances of a falling object accident. The following are some of the biggest factors:
Falling object accidents could occur in areas without adequate safety measures, like guardrails and netting, or workers may not have adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Supervisors and workers must properly secure equipment, materials, and tools to prevent them from slipping and falling off of shelving and other surfaces.
Some instances of falling object accidents result from human error, which could entail general neglect, irresponsible behavior, or operator error, depending on the circumstances.
Extreme weather conditions could cause falling object accidents if items are not properly secured, especially in high winds that can dislodge objects and blow them off surfaces.
A San Diego attorney might be able to help determine the cause and extent of an injury from falling objects to support a claim and prove that the injury was work-related.
Following a falling object injury, employees could take the following steps to initiate and strengthen a workers’ compensation claim:
If the worker does not require immediate treatment, they should report the accident to their employer to start the workers’ compensation process. While California law gives workers 30 days to report the accident from the date of the incident, it is best to report it as soon as possible to start seeking compensation.
When seeking medical care for a falling object injury, workers should ask employers about approved doctors under the business’s workers’ comp insurance plan. Seeking medical treatment as early as possible could help prove that the work accident caused the injury.
Evidence like medical records, surveillance footage from the workplace, and the object itself could serve as evidence to support a claim. However, individuals do not need to prove fault in these cases.
The next step involves filing a claim with the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). The DWC will then assign an adjuster to handle the claim. A San Diego falling objects injury lawyer may help with this aspect.
For help recovering a full settlement amount after suffering injuries from a falling object, reach out to Silberman & Lam, LLP, to speak with a reliable San Diego falling objects injury lawyer today.
