Warehouse workers are the backbone of many businesses. All too often, however, employers fail to keep their workers safe from harm. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the warehousing industry ranks in second place for serious illness and injury rates and has the highest ranking for worker fatality rates. If employers, workers, and other parties don’t follow safety standards for warehousing, warehouse accidents that cause serious injuries to workers are bound to occur.
Common Causes of South Florida Warehouse Accidents
Warehousing operations present a broad range of potential hazards for workers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, these are the most common hazards that usually cause warehouse accidents:
- Forklifts – Approximately 95,000 workers are injured, and 100 are killed each year in forklift-related accidents across all industries, including warehousing. Forklift turnovers are the top cause of death in forklift accidents.
- Docks – Injuries can occur when objects fall on workers, or trucks hit workers or run off a dock during loading and unloading operations.
- Conveyors – Workers can suffer injuries when they get caught in in-going nip points or pinch points, are struck by falling objects, or sustain musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) related to repetitive motions or awkward postures.
- Improper Hazard Communication – Chemical burns and other issues can occur if spills or contact with hazardous materials happen due to improper hazard safety protocols.
- Charging Stations – Charging stations present an increased risk of explosion, fire, and electrocution unless safety guidelines are followed.
- Manual Handling and Lifting – Warehouse workers are regularly exposed to various ergonomic risk factors, including bending, reaching, lowering and lifting heavy loads, pulling and pushing heavy items, and performing similar or the same tasks repetitively. All these can increase the risk of workers developing MSDs, including tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder and back injuries, and muscle strains, among many others.
Employers are legally obligated to make the worksite safe for their workers, and this includes minimizing hazards. Failing to wear proper protective equipment, improper implementation of lockout procedures, and insufficient fire safety provisions also create various workplace hazards.
Who Should Be Held Liable For a South Florida Warehouse Accident?
On-the-job illnesses and injuries must be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, regardless of fault. You can seek benefits for medical bills and lost wages, even if you somehow caused or contributed to the warehouse accident. Employers can only be sued under very limited circumstances. However, if a third party, such as a co-worker, property owner, and product manufacturer was at fault, you can seek compensation through a personal injury claim.
It’s also important to note that you can file a workers’ comp claim without a lawyer. But you will find that your employer or their workers’ comp insurer will not treat you fairly (especially if you suffered significant injuries and related losses) and that they will try to pay the bare minimum of workers’ comp benefits you’re entitled to protect their bottom line. An experienced South Florida warehouse accident attorney can help with your workers’ comp claim and pursue more compensation from all liable parties, if applicable.
Get Legal Guidance From Our Skilled South Florida Warehouse Accident Attorneys
If you’ve suffered injuries in a warehouse accident or developed an illness, you may be worried about losing your job and income. You may be wondering how you will cover your medical bills and where you can get the money to provide for your family. At Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa, our South Florida warehouse accident attorneys routinely help workers secure the compensation they deserve after suffering on-the-job injuries.
Please call our office at 561-478-2500 or send us an online message to schedule a free case evaluation with our South Florida warehouse accident attorney today.