Industrial Workplace Accident Lawyer in Baytown, TX
Industrial work can be very dangerous. When workplace accidents happen at industrial job sites in Baytown, the results can be catastrophic.
If you were hurt in an industrial workplace accident in Baytown, Texas, you may be suffering from painful injuries, struggling with missed time from work, and wondering how you will make ends meet. However, you could be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries and related losses.
At The Callahan Law Firm, our Baytown industrial accident lawyers have more than 25 years of experience advocating for the rights of injured workers just like you. We understand your challenges, and our legal team has the knowledge, skills, and resources to help you get the compensation and accountability you deserve.
To learn more about your legal options, contact us today for a free case review.
What Is an Industrial Accident?
An industrial workplace accident happens when an incident – usually preventable – causes injury to one or more workers at an industrial site, such as a refinery, chemical plant, fabrication facility, factory, warehouse, or other.
The term “industrial” is relatively broad, but in this context, an industrial worker is someone who works toward transforming raw or unfinished materials into a refined or finished product. Examples of industrial jobs in Baytown include refining petrochemicals, maritime work, equipment fabrication, manufacturing, warehousing, as well as distribution, and transportation.
Industrial jobs can be especially hazardous for several reasons. Many industrial workers are routinely exposed to busy worksites, multiple contractors performing different tasks, heavy equipment and machinery, flammable liquids and gases, toxic substances, and other potential hazards.
Although workplace safety regulations have contributed to substantial decreases in occupational injuries, illnesses, and deaths over the past 50 years, thousands of industrial workers are still injured and lose their lives in workplace accidents annually.
Types of Industrial Accidents in Baytown, Texas
Here are just a few of the most common types of industrial accidents:
- Refinery and chemical plant accidents – Refineries and chemical plants are full of potential hazards, including aging and inadequately maintained equipment, different contractors performing various tasks simultaneously, heavy equipment such as forklifts, boom lifts, and cranes, working at heights, volatile liquids and gases, and improperly stored materials.
- Defective equipment accidents – Whether due to inadequate maintenance or because of a design or manufacturing defect, when industrial equipment such as pumps, compressors, valves, and others fail or malfunction, the result can be catastrophic.
- Machinery accidents – Many industrial workers rely on heavy machinery to do their jobs. If machinery is poorly maintained, or proper safety rules are not followed, machinery accidents can result in crushing injuries, amputations, and other serious physical harm.
- Crane accidents – A few examples of the many possible crane accidents include crane collapse due to improper assembly or component failure, tipping over onto structures or workers, and dropping heavy loads from heights.
- Forklift accidents – Forklifts are used in many industrial settings and are more dangerous than many people realize. Most forklift accidents happen due to a lack of proper employee training and failure to follow basic safety rules.
- Transportation accidents – Tanker trucks, tractor-trailers, dump trucks, delivery trucks, and other large industrial vehicles are common at industrial workplaces and public roads. Their size and blind spots make them another common cause of workplace injuries.
- Oil and gas accidents – Possible accidents in the oil and gas industry include fires and explosions, industrial equipment failures, slips, and falls, drownings, toxic exposure incidents, and electrocutions.
- Construction site accidents – Construction workers wear hard hats and other safety equipment for a reason. Construction sites are highly hazardous. Worker accidents involving scaffolding falls, trench collapses, and heavy machinery are common, as are an endless variety of other accidents.
What Are the Major Causes of Industrial Accidents in Baytown, TX?
Employers are responsible for providing employees with the tools and equipment they need to do their jobs safely, and to have safety policies and procedures in place that are enforced to keep everyone on the worksite safe. Nevertheless, industrial workplace accidents are all too common.
Examples of contributing factors in industrial accidents in Baytown, TX, include:
- Inadequate safety policies and procedures
- Failure to enforce safety policies and procedures
- Failure to maintain equipment and machinery in a safe condition
- Defective equipment, tools, or machinery
- Failure to inform workers of potential safety hazards
- Lack of appropriate training for industrial workers
- Lack of appropriate worker supervision or support
- Hazardous layouts or procedures in the workplace
- Inadequate planning
- Unsafe storage or loading of materials or equipment
- Leaks of hazardous materials whether gases or liquids
- Careless handling of toxic or flammable materials
- Inadequate ventilation in work areas
- Poor housekeeping and cluttered workspaces
- Working at unsafe paces whether too fast or too slow
- Working from heights
- Worker fatigue
- Inadequate or defective PPE or safety devices
- Defective or unsafe design or assembly standards
Common Injuries Caused by Industrial Accidents
Workers often suffer serious injuries due to industrial accidents in the workplace. Some examples of these injuries include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar back injuries
- Partial or total paralysis
- Fractures
- Crush injuries
- Leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
- Shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
- Torn ligaments
- Amputation
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Burns whether thermal, chemical, and electrical
- Electric shocks and electrocutions
- Shockwave and inhalation injuries
- Occupational exposure injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Compensation for Losses in an Industrial Accident
If you were injured in an industrial workplace accident, you may have the right to pursue monetary compensation from multiple sources.
First, you should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if your employer carries workers’ comp insurance and your injury happened on the job. These are no-fault benefits, which means you are not required to prove that anyone is responsible for your injuries in order to receive compensation.
If your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation if the injury was caused by the negligence of your employer, a co-worker, or another company. Unlike workers’ compensation benefits, you will need to prove that your employer or another company was responsible for causing your injuries in order for your suit to be successful.
Most significantly, you may be able to pursue a claim for your injuries and damages against a third party – that is, someone other than your employer or a co-worker – if their negligence or recklessness caused or contributed to your injuries. In a third-party lawsuit against a company or product manufacturer, you can seek compensation for the cost of your medical care, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, physical impairment, mental anguish, and possibly more.
Contact Our Experienced Baytown Industrial Accident Attorneys Today
At The Callahan Law Firm, our industrial accident lawyers know that justice does not come easy. That is why we work so hard to demand fair outcomes on behalf of our clients. Contact our firm today for a free consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.
