Dedicated Hawaii Warehouse Workplace Injury Lawyer

Hawaii Warehouse Workplace Injury Lawyer

Working in a warehouse can be a dangerous job, especially if you work around people who ignore safety protocols. Some warehouse injuries have fatal outcomes. Others could cause long-term complications that change your life completely. You may face ongoing medical treatments and physical impairments that prevent you from working.

At Recovery Law Center, our workers’ compensation lawyers provide legal support to people across Hawaii. We will advocate on your behalf to push for compensation to offset the damages you now face.

Understanding the Types of Warehouse Injuries

Injuries from accidents could vary from mild to severe depending on several factors, including how the accident happens, your age and health, and how quickly you receive medical attention.

Chemical burns

Solutions such as battery acid, bleach or some disinfectants could cause a serious chemical burn. Your employer should safeguard such solutions and require all workers to wear adequate personal protective equipment.

Crushing injuries

A lot of warehouses require you to organize, stock and remove large quantities of product. Heavy pallets, not properly secured, could fall at times and crush you. Similarly, you could get caught in between machinery and stock shelves, which could have the same effect.

Traumatic falls

Working at height puts you at risk of falling. Whether you slip and trip, get knocked over by something or lose your footing, falling from heights could result in traumatic injuries. Spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious warehouse injuries.

Limb loss

If you catch your arm or leg in warehouse equipment or machinery, you could suffer limb loss. Even if you do not lose your limb entirely, you may experience disfigurements and problems that permanently impact the movement of your body.

Even mild injuries from warehouse accidents could require time away from work to recover from. If you make a full recovery, you might still suffer from anxiety because of your experience.

Avoiding Common Warehouse Accidents

Your employer can prevent a lot of accidents by implementing safety protocols. Regular safety training can also serve as a reminder of expectations so you can optimize your safety at work. If you notice anything amiss in the warehouse, you should immediately notify your employer and request help. If they neglect to take action, an accident could happen, including the following:

• Equipment malfunction
• Falling objects
• Spills
• Fires
• Chemical exposure

If your employer notices anyone ignoring safety protocols, they should discipline promptly to prevent ongoing problems.

Assessing Liability After a Warehouse Incident

Determining liability after warehouse accidents can take time and will require a thorough investigation. Multiple parties, including local authorities and your employer, might complete their own investigations. OSHA may also participate in the investigations.

Liability could fall on your employer if investigations reveal negligence and blatant disregard for employee safety. Liability could also fall on people you work with if their reckless behavior contributed to your injuries. If your outcome happened because of others’ actions, you deserve compensation and support to help you recover from your injuries.

Determining Damages From a Warehouse Injury

The costs associated with warehouse injuries can climb rapidly and have a staggering impact on your long-term financial planning. Damages could last for many years to come and require ongoing support to address.

Lost wages and diminished earning power

Regardless of the severity of your injury, you will most likely need to take time away from work to recover. Severe injuries could prevent you from ever returning to your job. The toll of lost wages and diminished earning power could alter your financial stability for the foreseeable future.

Ongoing treatment and rehabilitation

Your injury may require ongoing treatment and subsequent rehabilitation. This could include occupational therapy, physical therapy and vocational training. Ongoing care might help restore some of your mobility, as well as give you tools to manage pain and live with physical limitations.

Long-term disability

Severe injuries could permanently disable you. In some workers’ compensation cases, you might be able to secure disability benefits because of your injuries.

Funeral costs and survival expenses

If a workplace injury ultimately leads to death, the surviving family members may be able to acquire compensation to help with funeral costs. Those who relied on support might also be able to push for help with survival expenses.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Your employer has the responsibility of reporting your injury and then filing a claim form. Prior to this, you will need to notify them of your situation and resulting injuries. Your health care team will need to contribute as well, providing documentation of your injuries and supporting information.

Once you submit the required information to your employer, they assume liability for the claim and should keep you informed of the next steps. Any changes to your workers’ compensation benefits should be immediately disclosed to you.

Contacting a Warehouse Injuries Lawyer for Guidance

Dealing with the repercussions of warehouse injuries can take a toll on your physical and emotional health. The uncertainty of your future may cause angst and fear. At Recovery Law Center, we want to provide support during an unprecedented time. Recovery Law Center can guide you through the legal process and will do our best to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today or use our website’s contact form to schedule a free consultation.

FAQs About Workers’ Compensation