Warehouse workers are an essential part of the production process for any of the goods used in the country on a daily basis. They’re essential to industries like food packaging, retail distribution, and storage. However, working in a warehouse can be risky and, if employed at any such facilities, it is possible that you could experience personal injury even if you are taking safety precautions.
Be aware of these possible sources of injury in a warehouse:
- Heavy machinery (namely forklifts, pallets, metal bag lifts, etc.)
- Fellow workers’ negligence
- Lack of effective oversight and supervision
- Lack of protective gear
- Failure to provide on-sight basic First Aid
Be aware of your responsibility and rights
As a warehouse worker, you are not the person responsible for the safety of the workplace. That task falls on your employer and the management that the company decides will oversee your workplace. When hired, you should be trained on the basic rules to follow in your role to ensure the safety of you and your immediate co-workers, but the burden of the development and execution of that training falls on your bosses. The same principle applies to assessing who is responsible for an accident when it occurs. As an employee, you do not hold sole responsibility for the incident. By agreeing to hire you, companies also agree to provide a safe and healthy workplace environment. If their inability to provide that results in a personal loss, you can be eligible for compensation by your company or a third party.
Record the incident in detail
Having as much detail on the incident in question is essential. Record what you can with personal testimony, eyewitness statements, photos, and videos. Keep documents that are evidence of the sustained impact of an injury on your life, either through physical ailments, financial stress, or significant loss of quality of life. Make sure the details of the incident were communicated in full to your employer and, to the best of your ability, either record these conversations or have them documented in writing. Such effective documentation will bolster your claim and chances of compensation.
Also, warehouses have many moving parts and many employees in charge of said moving parts. If your injury is similar to any previously experienced by employees of the same company, it may be possible to show a pattern of negligence that would exacerbate the level of wrongdoing on your employer’s part. Research into such matters will only leave you better informed and ready to fight for your right to compensation.
Call in back-up
Going up against your employer or a responsible third party is a daunting task, especially in the context of experiencing a traumatic and harmful injury. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially from the expert personal injury lawyers at Kwartler Manus. Our years of experience defending individuals like you in the courtroom will ensure that even when your workplace failed to protect you, you can still receive what you are rightfully owed. Contact us online or by phone at 267-457-5570 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.