Washington, D.C. Workplace Accident Lawyer

Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in workplace accidents in the U.S., many of which are caused by inadequate safety procedures. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), 4,585 workers were killed on the job in 2013, and 33 out of every 1,000 people suffered work-related injuries or illnesses. If you’ve been harmed in a workplace accident, reach out to a seasoned workplace accident lawyer from Simeone & Miller, LLP at once.

Hurt On the Job? Contact a D.C. Workplace Accident Lawyer Today.

If you have suffered an injury at work, you should be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, it may not be enough to cover all of your expenses for medical care, rehabilitation, lost wages, or other costs related to your injury. Make sure your rights are fully protected by calling a Washington, D.C. injury lawyer from our legal team.

Common Causes of Workplace Accidents

OSHA exists to help keep workplace risks to a minimum, requiring all employers to abide by certain safety regulations. Sadly, some employers are negligent in this regard and routinely violate these rules.

Some of the most common causes of workplace injuries include:

• Hazardous equipment: Heavy machinery or other equipment may be hazardous due to poor design, errors during assembly, or inadequate maintenance, which puts workers at extreme risk.
• Hazardous materials: Many industries use chemicals that could pose a danger if not handled or stored correctly. Workers who are exposed to toxic chemicals are at risk of suffering painful burns.
• Inadequate safety measures: Employers must provide a workplace free of hazards, in accordance with OSHA standards, by keeping it maintained and providing personal protective equipment.
• Insufficient training: Many workers are injured because they have not received the proper training. Also, workers who are asked to perform tasks that they are unqualified for put everyone else at risk.

Common Types of Workplace Injuries

While some work environments are inherently more dangerous than others, injuries can happen anywhere. Workplace injuries happen every day in office settings, on construction sites, in factories, and everywhere in between. Some injuries might be minor, but others could be catastrophic, life-changing, or even deadly.

Some of the most common work-related injuries include:

• Fall injuries
• Chemical burns
• Repetitive injuries
• Brain injuries
• Bone fractures
• Lacerations
• Amputations
• Electrocution

Whether or not your injury is serious, you need to know what to do if you suffer a workplace injury. Failing to take action, or taking the wrong action, could make things more complicated and even undermine your rights.

Steps to Take After a Work-Related Accident

If you were injured at work, make sure you know what you need to do to preserve your health and protect your rights. Workers are protected under workers’ compensation and personal injury laws if they follow the claims process correctly and meet the appropriate deadlines, which is why you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

If you were injured on the job, follow these important steps:

• Seek medical treatment: When you are injured at work, your first priority should be to seek medical attention. If the injury doesn’t require emergency treatment, inform your supervisor immediately, then seek medical care as soon as possible. If your injury is severe, don’t waste time before calling 911 or asking someone to take you to the emergency room. In any case, you should do what you can to inform your employer that you’ve been injured and are leaving work as soon as reasonably possible.
• Report your injury: After you’ve received medical attention, you need to officially report your workplace injury. In some cases, injured workers have a limited amount of time from the date of the injury to file an accident report; otherwise, they might not be able to make a workers’ compensation claim. To avoid this issue, you need to act fast. Contact your employer and ask for the appropriate paperwork so that you can submit an official report. Even if the injury wasn’t serious, you should always report it.
• Contact an attorney: Sometimes workplace accidents only involve you or your fellow employees. However, sometimes other persons can be involved, including customers, vendors, and fellow drivers. In any of these situations, these other people could also be liable for your injuries. If your injury was caused or made worse due to someone’s negligence, you may want to consider pursuing legal action in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. You may have grounds to file a personal injury case. A D.C. workplace accident lawyer from our firm can help.

Have You Been Wronged? Let Us Help You Make it Right

The Washington, D.C. work accident lawyers at Simeone & Miller, LLP can help you protect your right to compensation by investigating your workplace accident, determining who is at fault, and determining if your accident was caused by the negligence of another. As one of the most successful and trusted personal injury firms in Washington, D.C., Simeone & Miller, LLP is confident in our ability to handle your case with respect and compassion.