In April of 1971, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also known as OSHA, began operations. This organization specifically protects the well-being and safety of American workers. In response to years of unsafe working conditions, OSHA was put in place to protect the rights of workers in the United States! Unfortunately, not everyone likes to play by the rules. Workplace accidents are still frequent occurrences in the U.S., and at Shaevitz & Shaevitz, we believe that injured workers deserve compensation. Fortunately, as Queens workplace accident lawyers, we dedicate our legal expertise to protecting the rights and compensation of workers in New York!
Understanding OSHA Violations
OSHA outlines specific guidelines and protections that employers must follow to protect workers. However, when OSHA is violated, it increases the risk of a workplace accident significantly. Common OSHA violations include:
- Lack of fall protection: Usually seen in industries like construction, a lack of fall protection can become fatal for workers. Improper scaffolding, tall heights with no guardrails, and broken equipment can easily result in a dangerous fall on the job.
Improper hazard communication: A lack of warning signs, labels, and training can have devastating consequences. All employees should have complete knowledge of potential hazards on the job and how to prepare for them.
- Missing eye or face protection: When working with chemicals and toxic materials, it’s important to have proper eye and face protection. Without these safeguards in place, workplace accidents can result in serious injuries to the face or eyes.
If you have experience with any of these violations or are dealing with a different workplace accident, contacting a lawyer is crucial to obtain fair compensation. With a legal team on your side like the Queens workplace accident lawyers at Shaevitz & Shaevitz, you can trust that your case is taken seriously.
How Queens Workplace Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case
Shaevitz & Shaevitz believe that your workplace injuries deserve justice. However, not all injuries are eligible for compensation.
In general, all of the following must be true to ensure you’re eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
- Your employer at the time of the injury has workers’ compensation coverage. While all employers in New York State are required to have this coverage, not all do.
- You must be in a position that qualifies for workers’ compensation, meaning you must be an employee of the company, rather than a freelancer or independent contractor.
- Your injury, illness, or disability must be a direct result of your job and occur while you are an acting employee.
- Within 30 days of the occurrence, you must provide your employer with a written notice of your injury and the accident.
- After your workplace accident, you must seek medical attention from a trained professional. This professional will make a record of your injury and its cause (the accident) to help back up your claims.
By taking these steps, you make sure that your workplace injury is eligible for compensation. As your Queens accident lawyers, we’ll provide expert legal advice to help you acquire justice.
Immediately following your accident, report it to your employer. If they recommend a particular physician or medical center, we recommend you go there first. With a medical record from a professional, you can prove the extent of your injuries and the timeline.
Afterwards, the insurance company may contact you to offer a low settlement. We encourage you not to take it! These companies aim to save themselves money, therefore paying you the lowest compensation possible. With expert legal knowledge, we can speak to the insurance company for you and protect your compensation.
Trust Queens Accident Lawyers With Your Workplace Accident Compensation!
If your employer violates OSHA, resulting in your injury, you may be eligible for compensation. After a workplace accident, follow the necessary steps to protect your compensation and hire a Queens accident lawyer to help you with the legal process.
Book a no-obligation, free consultation today at Shaevitz & Shaevitz to discover what your workplace accident claim may be worth.
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