Hudson Valley Unsafe Work Environment Injury Attorneys
Industrial jobs are already dangerous enough. Construction workers, factory workers, and other industrial employees are exposed to heavy machinery, dangerous chemicals, falls from high places, and any number of other hazards. State and federal regulations require employers to take reasonable precautions to mitigate those dangers, including by providing appropriate safety equipment, training, and other safeguards. Failing to maintain a safe working environment drastically increases the risk of serious workplace accidents and wrongful deaths.
If you were hurt in an accident caused by a lack of safety gear, inadequate training, faulty equipment, or other hazardous working conditions in New York, you have the right to seek compensation. To protect your legal rights and maximize your recovery, you need help from a veteran New York personal injury law firm. The Goshen personal injury attorneys at Dupée & Monroe, P.C. are here to help.
What Is an Unsafe Work Environment in New York?
The Occupational Safety and Health Act guarantees every employee in the country the right to a workplace that is sanitary, quiet, safe, and non-toxic. A hazardous or unsafe work environment is one in which the working conditions present a risk to worker safety or health. Different rules apply to different industries and work environments, but employers are responsible for keeping to the safety protocols appropriate for the setting.
Safety protocols may include proper training for all workers, advanced training for use of specialized equipment or machinery, personal protective equipment such as gloves, boots, goggles, and helmets, regular meetings to address known hazards, maintaining or upgrading old equipment, proper supervision, and other safeguards.
Examples of Unsafe Working Conditions
Unsafe working conditions create hazards for workers that can lead to injury or death. The workplace injury lawyers at Dupée & Monroe help injured workers obtain maximum compensation after incidents caused by a lack of proper safety protocols. Unsafe working conditions may include:
- Lack of proper training with regard to operation, safety, or sanitation
- Hiring unqualified workers
- Lack of supervision
- Lack of proper personal protective equipment, which may be specific to each job
- Use of old or defective equipment
- Lack of guardrails, shields, and other safety equipment on machinery
- Meal, rest break, or overtime violations that lead to fatigued workers
- Slippery and wet floors
- Unsecured or improperly stored materials
- Frayed cords and other exposed electrical wires
- Toxic chemicals and hazardous fumes
- Exposure to loud noises
- Unsanitary conditions
- Poor lighting
- Use of defective equipment or tools
- Lack of maintenance on gear or equipment
Recovering Compensation After a Workplace Injury
Under most circumstances, your recovery after a workplace injury is limited to workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp will cover medical bills, a portion of your lost wages, permanent disability, and benefits for retraining should your injuries require you to switch occupations. Typically, you cannot sue your employer after a workplace injury.
There are, however, limited exceptions to the rule. If your employer deliberately or knowingly puts you in danger, you could have a legal claim beyond workers’ comp. You might also have a claim against third parties who contributed to your accident, such as equipment manufacturers or third-party contractors.
Talk to an unsafe work environment attorney at Dupée & Monroe to discuss your accident and your case. Our hazardous workplace legal team can help you obtain compensation after your workplace accident, and we can help ensure that your employer follows through on their obligations to keep you and other workers safe.
Dedicated New York Unsafe Work Environment Accident Attorneys Fighting for You
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of hazardous working conditions in Orange County or throughout the mid-Hudson Valley, find out if you should file a claim for damages by contacting the veteran, successful Goshen unsafe work environment lawyers Dupée & Monroe at 845-294-8900 for a free consultation.
