When you work for an employer, you have the right to be safe on the job. You have responsibilities as an employer, like doing a good job and showing up on time, but the company you work for has its own set of responsibilities.
Unfortunately, not all employers live up to their responsibilities, and some even cut corners to boost profits and evade regulation. This may ring truer than ever in a post-COVID work environment where business owners begin demanding more of a smaller workforce to mitigate potential cash flow issues in response to another pandemic. When that happens, their loyal workers are often put at risk. If you want to protect yourself and stay safe on the job, understanding your rights as an employee is always a good place to start.
The risks you potentially face while on the job depend in large part on the nature of your employment and what you do for a living. Truck drivers obviously face a different set of dangers then office workers, but every class of employer can be victimized by toxic substances, defective products or the negligent actions of a third party.
Defective Products and the Dangers They Can Cause
No matter what you do for a living, chances are you use a number of products during the course of an average day. If you work in a warehouse, you may spend your days driving a forklift back and forth. If you work in an office, you may work around various forms of electrical equipment, from copiers to computers.
If any of those products are defective, you could be put at risk, and it is the job of your employer to safeguard you from those dangers as much as possible. That means keeping equipment and products in good repair, but it also means monitoring those products for defects.
If you are injured on the job by a defective product, work injury attorneys may be able to help. Workplace injury is a serious business, and it requires a robust legal response. If you want to protect your rights, you cannot afford to wait and hope your employer will do the right thing. While many employers are responsible and concerned for the welfare of their workers, others may try to skirt the law or evade their responsibility in a defective product case.
Exposure to Toxic Substances
No matter how innocuous the workplace, toxic substances could be all around you. From the toner used to fill up the copy machine and printers to the chemicals in use at the manufacturing plant, those toxic substances can cause great harm when misused.
You may not be able to avoid those toxic substances at work, but you do have the right to be protected when you use those products. Your employer has a responsibility to safeguard your working conditions, and they can be held liable if you are injured through no fault of your own.
You can protect your rights by knowing which potentially toxic substances you work with. Employers are responsible for keeping toxicity information on all the chemicals they use, and employees have the right to access that data. And if you do suffer from toxicity in the workplace, you have the right to help by work injury lawyers. Whether it is a work accident or an incidental exposure, you need to protect your rights and explore your next steps.
Negligence by a Third Party
An injury at work is not always the fault of your employer, and sometimes there is noting the company could have done to protect you or stop the incident from happening. Third-party negligence can also lead to significant workplace injuries, and as an employer, you have the right to recover for your injuries and hold the individual responsible.
If you suffer a work accident due to the negligence of a third party, it is important to contact a work accident attorney as soon as possible. An experienced work accident lawyer will be able to help you understand your rights, and they can guide you through every step of the process.
Whether you ultimately go to court and stand up for your rights or reach a settlement across the table, you need the right representation in your corner. Hopefully, you will never suffer a workplace injury, but if you do, contacting a legal expert could make all the difference, so you can maintain your career and avoid financial repercussions.
Injured On The Job?
Employees injured at work deserve to be compensated. However, workers’ compensation insurance providers can be difficult and deny valid claims.
If you need help with a workers’ comp claim, contact the Weycer Law Firm for a free consultation with a Texas workers’ comp attorney by calling (713) 668-4545.