Personal Injury Lawyer

Every job comes with some risks to worker health and safety, but there is obviously a lot of variation in hazard levels. Those who work at a desk all day may suffer the health effects of a sedentary lifestyle and eye/wrist strain from working on a computer, but they rarely need to worry about anything more serious than that.

Then there are jobs which are inherently dangerous, like construction and heavy industry. Despite the advancements in workplace safety policies and procedures, these jobs always come with a risk of serious injury or even death. Therefore, it is critical to take every precaution to ensure that workers leave work each day in the same condition they arrived. A major aspect of risk mitigation is personal protective equipment, or PPE.

Standard But Essential Safety Gear

On a given job site for construction workers, you may see workers using any of the following gear:

•         Hard hats and other head protection
•         Safety glasses, face shields and similar items
•         Respirators, dust masks and other equipment to protect lungs and airways
•         Ear plugs or earmuffs, some with built-in radios for communicating with other workers
•         Work gloves, tear- and cut-resistant clothing, steel-toed boots, etc.

Will these items save you from the most serious and devastating injuries? Probably not. But they will keep you safe in many more situations that you might expect. Moreover, they will protect your body from the daily wear and tear that can really take a toll over time. You don’t want to lose your hearing because you didn’t wear ear plugs, for instance, or develop a lung disease because you didn’t wear a mask.

Wearing Safety Equipment Is A Joint Responsibility

Whose job is it to ensure that workers wear safety gear? Does each worker decide for himself, or does the employer have to enforce rules? Do co-workers need to encourage and remind each other? The answer is that everyone is responsible for workplace safety and the use of PPE. Employers need to provide safety gear and set expectations for using it. Workers need to always wear it and encourage other workers who may have forgotten.

If and when an accident or injury does occur, it is up to employers to respond by ensuring that the injured worker receives proper medical care and understands how to apply for workers’ compensation benefits.

The Benefits Of Working With An Attorney

You are not legally required to work with a lawyer when seeking workers’ compensation benefits. But sadly, over the years, the system has become heavily biased in favor or employers and worker’s compensation insurers. Therefore, many legitimate claims are denied the first time they are filed. When you work with an experienced attorney, however, you may be able to present a more compelling initial claim and be prepared to appeal if your claim is denied.

If you’ve been injured on the job and are nervous or uncertain about filing a worker’s compensation claim, please contact a lawyer, like a work injury attorney in New Jersey from Rispoli & Borneo, P.C., to discuss your case with a caring and attentive attorney.