Steps to Take if You Experience a Catastrophic Workplace Accident

Workers across industries are susceptible to varying degrees of accidents and injuries. Catastrophic workplace accidents often leave the affected person and their loved ones in dire conditions. The financial burden and severe emotional trauma are examples of the loss and devastating injuries workers and their families undergo long after the incident.

Catastrophic workplace accident matters are always complicated and involve events like Workers’ Compensation claims, personal injury, and likely third-party lawsuits against contractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers.

“There are many things that can happen after a serious catastrophic workplace incident, says attorney Seth Price. “Hence, you need an exceptional Workers’ Compensation attorney to ensure your case receives the deserved attention.”

What a Catastrophic Accident Entails

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration defines a catastrophic accident as an event that causes death or severe physical injury. Sudden accidents with long-term and life-transforming impacts are fatal.

While a catastrophic accident is general, some organizations are more prone to them. For instance, truckers, miners, workers in the fishing and forestry sectors, factory workers, transport employees, and construction workers are more susceptible to on-the-job catastrophic accidents.

A victim of a catastrophic workplace accident should seek medical attention immediately. Then, they should inform their employer about the incident and file a Workers’ Compensation claim against the indicted person or institution.

The Workers’ Compensation system allows employees who sustain injuries or fall sick at work to receive no-fault insurance benefits. The benefits include income replacement, medical bills, and death benefits. The victim might also file a personal injury lawsuit against one or multiple third parties after a devastating workplace mishap.

Involve a Lawyer

Do not take any steps without consulting a meticulous lawyer to guide you. A Workers’ Compensation attorney will proactively handle your compensation claim against manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and any other person they feel is liable for the offense. Because of the complexity of such cases, you will break down on the way if you proceed without an attorney.

Common Types of Catastrophic Workplace Accidents

Devastating workplace accidents occur through various means, like:

• A worker suffering from over-exertion
• Falling or heavy moving object hits an employee
• Exposure to toxic chemicals or fumes
• Injury from fire or explosion
• Part of an employee’s body getting crushed or pinched in a machine
• Severe or fatal injuries from a motor vehicle crash

Typical Catastrophic Work-Related Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are usually glaring with long-term implications. They often involve the spine, the brain, or the head. They can cause tentative or permanent disfigurement, disability, or death.

Typical catastrophic workplace accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, severe burn injuries, eye injuries, amputations, mental trauma, and neurological damage. Others include crush injuries, blunt abdominal trauma, and wrongful death.

Victims of devastating workplace accidents usually become anxious and depressed and may isolate themselves from their loved ones. Life turns sore for them. They experience fractures, bleeding, lacerations, blood vessel damage, and bruises.

If the victims do not die, they might become very negative about life. Such havoc cannot go unpunished. Sometimes, no compensation can right the situation, but it will go a long way to ease the feelings.

Benefits Available to Victims of Catastrophic Workplace Accidents

The benefits that a Workers’ Compensation lawyer can help you recover include current and anticipated medical expenses, ongoing treatment bills, medical equipment and items, emergency medical and hospital bills, therapies and rehabilitation, diminished earning capacity, and lost wages.

They may also shoulder home renovation expenses to cater to medical equipment and wheelchairs.