Injured at work? Our Tampa work injury lawyers will determine if you should file a negligence lawsuit or a workers’ compensation claim.
The workplace accident attorneys at Swope Rodante will investigate your case and help determine the steps you can take to get compensation for your injuries.
Call (813) 273-0017 for a free consultation and case evaluation with our work injury lawyers.
Common Causes of Work Injuries
Common causes of workplace injuries in Tampa include:
- Construction accidents
- Transportation accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Workplace violence
- Heat stroke and severe dehydration
Worker’s Compensation Coverage Requirements
An injury that arises “out of and in the course of employment” will usually entitle an injured person to workers’ compensation under Florida Statutory law.
Your employer’s workers’ compensation policy can provide wage replacement and medical benefits while you recover from your injury. The benefits may also provide compensation for family members who were dependent on your lost income.
Ideally, the workers’ compensation benefits will provide support until you’re able to return to work.
As a worker, you must document your injuries and notify your employer within 30 days of the injury or you risk not receiving any benefits.
Suing for Hazardous Work Conditions
Florida law requires employers to provide a safe workplace and protect employees.
Employers’ responsibilities include providing all employees with safety training, posting safety notices and warning signs, and preventing unnecessary hazards. Employers must also document any incidents involving injury, toxic exposure, or death.
Governmental standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establish protocols for the storage of hazardous materials, equipment maintenance, protective clothing, and fire protection.
If an employer fails to protect their employees from being injured, especially due to carelessness or negligence, the workers may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against the employer for additional compensation.
Common Workplace Hazards
The most common workplace hazards are:
- Exposure to hazardous substances
- Defective equipment and machinery
- Fires and explosions
- Unsafe processes
- Lack of safety equipment
If your employer has failed to protect you in the workplace, contact our work injury attorneys. Our team will investigate the accident and determine if your employer is liable for your injury.
Types of Work Injury Cases We Handle
Examples of the work injury cases we handle include:
- Third-party personal injury claims made against someone other than your employer. For example, if you are injured in a car accident while on the job, the at-fault driver could be held liable.
- Product liability claims. If defective equipment or unsafe machinery is the cause of an injury, the manufacturer may be held liable in a product liability lawsuit.
- Negligence lawsuits against the employer.
- If your employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation coverage, you may be able to bring a lawsuit in civil court against the employer for compensation.
Contact a Tampa Workplace Injury Lawyer
Our attorneys are here to help you if you have suffered an injury at work.
If you are unsure whether your claim qualifies for workers compensation, we can help you determine what next steps to take.
Call our office in Tampa or contact us online for a free consultation with a work injury lawyer.
References
- Endeavor Business Media, LLC. (2019, December 19). Higher Work Fatality Rate Driven by Transportation Incidents. EHSToday. Retrieved September 23, 2021, from https://www.ehstoday.com/safety/article/21118746/higher-work-fatality-rate-driven-by-transportation-incidents.
- Martone, J. A. (2020, May 18). Arising out of and in the course of employment. AmEquity. Retrieved September 23, 2021, from https://www.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/arising-out-of-and-in-the-course-of-employment.
- Pro Bono Net. (n.d.). The Differences between Criminal Court and Civil Court. LawHelp.org. Retrieved September 27, 2021, from https://www.lawhelp.org/resource/the-differences-between-criminal-court-and-ci.
- United States Department of Labor. (n.d.). About OSHA. About OSHA | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved September 23, 2021, from https://www.osha.gov/aboutosha.
- Wishnia, J. (2021, June 14). Unsafe working conditions and imminent danger. LegalMatch Law Library. Retrieved September 23, 2021, from https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/unsafe-working-conditions-and-imminent-danger.html.
