South Florida Utility Worker Accidents

Utility workers in South Florida face unique challenges and dangers at work daily. They perform all sorts of work that are crucial to keeping the state functioning - from ensuring that electricity runs perfectly in our homes, offices, and other properties to making sure water flows as expected. But their line of work, while critical to our communities, can be immensely hazardous.

That is why utility companies must follow all the mandated safety procedures and policies to ensure the health and safety of their workers. Otherwise, they could be held responsible for work-related injuries and illnesses. If you got hurt on the job, regardless of how it happened, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance must cover your losses.

The Many Risks Utility Workers Face

Unfortunately, the jobs utility workers perform come with inherent risks that place them at risk for severe injuries, sometimes, death. The common risks utility workers include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

• Slips, Trips, and Falls from High Heights – Utility workers usually work on cranes, ladders, scaffolding, and other elevated areas. A trip, slip, or fall from such high heights can lead to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or death.
• Electric Shock – Utility workers employed by electric companies must always be careful when working with electric currents and power lines. Others must also be wary of getting electrocuted while using electrical equipment and working near power lines.
• Various Physical Stressors – The daily tasks that utility workers perform significantly increase their risk of developing overuse or repetitive stress injuries. Without sufficient rest and stretching, constant and repeated bending, crouching, standing, and grasping can lead to chronic pain.
• Dust – Utility workers are constantly exposed to asbestos in older buildings and other chemicals. Dust can include various kinds of hazardous particles, such as natural elements and toxic chemicals that can wreak havoc on your lungs. Constant exposure to dangerous dust can result in chronic conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, etc.
• Cold and Heat Stress – Depending on the situation, utility workers sometimes need to work even in extreme weather conditions. This increases their risk of suffering heat stroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, hypothermia, or frostbite.
• Defective Tools and Equipment – Utility workers do their jobs using various tools and equipment, and any defect in these products can cause severe injuries.
• Motor Vehicle Crashes – As utility workers move from site to site, they’re always at risk of getting into a motor vehicle crash. Workers who work on roadways or roadsides are also at risk of getting hit by passing vehicles.

Common Injuries Utility Workers Can Suffer On The Job

Depending on the specific type of work-related accident a utility worker is involved in, they may suffer injuries, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Bone fractures
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Chronic pain
• Bronchial and lung injuries
• Facial and eye injuries
• Severe lacerations
• Electrical burns
• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma

As many injured utility workers know, these injuries can present long-term to permanent complications not only for them but for their families as well.

Seek Legal Guidance From a Seasoned South Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney Now

There’s a broad range of hazards that utility workers must contend with while doing their jobs, and these can result in severe injuries or death. These injuries must be covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation coverage and by other parties who may also be liable for their injuries.

No matter your situation, the South Florida workers’ compensation attorneys at Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa are here to help. You can learn more about your case and options for recovering compensation for your losses by calling 866-640-7117 or reaching us online and arranging a free case review with our South Florida workers’ compensation attorney.