Industrial Accident Lawyers Representing Virginia Injury Victims
Attorneys for those who suffer severe injuries in industrial workplaces
Industrial accidents can cause catastrophic injuries that change the course of a victim’s life. The physical, emotional, and financial harm that can result from one of these events can be devastating, not just to the person injured but also to their family.
From cases involving fracking rig explosions to toxic chemical spills, the dedicated attorneys at Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers are prepared to take on major industrial corporations, including gas companies, breweries, and processing plants across the nation.
How can Phelan Petty help you after an industrial accident?
After an industrial accident, injury victims often have mounting medical bills – and at the same time, they’re likely to be out of work. Suffering these harms and struggling to provide for yourself and your family can be extremely challenging. When facing such a difficult time, you need someone in your corner who is fighting for you and your future. That’s where we come in. At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we have a strong track record of representing clients injured in industrial accidents. We know how to take on large companies and achieve a favorable outcome for our clients.
If you work with us, we will offer you compassionate, personalized representation in negotiations with insurers and employers while always being prepared to take your case to court. Our team has secured many settlements and verdicts in the multi-millions. We encourage you to listen to what some of our past clients have to say about working with us on their cases.
Common injuries from industrial accidents
Industrial accidents can lead to some of the most devastating injuries imaginable. The results can be life-altering or even fatal. Some common injuries resulting from these incidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Those working in industrial workplaces may experience injuries to the head from falling objects or heavy equipment incidents.
- Chemical burns: When working with dangerous chemicals, mishaps can lead to severe burns to a person’s skin and eyes.
- Spinal cord injuries: Injuries to the spine can cause partial or total paralysis. Falls from heights and accidents involving heavy machinery can lead to these life-threatening injuries.
- Wrongful death: Sadly, thousands of people lose their lives in workplace accidents every year in the United States. Industrial workplaces have greater risks of these types of injuries occurring because of the equipment and other inherent dangers employees face doing their jobs every day.
Other injuries, including broken bones and issues related to exposure to harmful substances, can also lead to severe harm. Anyone who experiences a workplace injury should learn more about their legal options.
Types of industrial accidents
There are countless risks at industrial worksites, but a few categories of accidents are responsible for many severe injuries, including:
1. Explosions and fires
Some of the most devastating industrial accidents involve explosions and fires. Fracking rigs, storage tanks, and other industrial fires may result from negligence, unsafe practices, or equipment malfunctions. Victims may suffer severe burns and other trauma in these incidents.
2. Toxic chemical spills
Work at oil refineries, chemical plants, sanitation operations, and other industrial sites may require the handling of toxic chemicals. There needs to be careful workplace practices and quality safety equipment in place when handling such substances. If something goes wrong, victims may suffer chemical burns, respiratory conditions, and long-term health issues. Employees, as well as anyone else near the site of a spill, may suffer harm in these accidents.
3. Falls and falling objects
Falls account for about 36% of construction-related deaths. Being struck by a falling object causes another 10% of fatalities. Those who work on scaffolding and near cranes are particularly at risk of falls or being struck by falling tools, equipment, and other objects.
4. Electrical accidents
Electrical injuries, including shocks and electrocutions, are common in industrial settings. Electricians and landscapers who work near live wires face increased risks of experiencing injuries from these types of accidents.
Holding responsible parties accountable
Although industrial worksites are dangerous, accidents are not inevitable. There are safety measures in place to make this type of work less hazardous and to prevent injuries. Often, these incidents take place because of negligent acts or omissions, such as:
- A failure to provide proper training or safety equipment to workers
- A lack of commitment to safety regulations and protocols
- Faulty equipment that isn’t working properly or hasn’t been maintained properly
- Direct violations of safety regulations set by OSHA
When an injury does happen, it’s important to work with an industrial accident attorney to investigate the cause and identify pathways to compensation.
Your rights after an industrial accident
Victims of industrial accidents may be able to pursue compensation in one or more of the following ways:
- Workers' compensation: Most employees are covered by workers' compensation programs that provide for medical expenses, lost wages, and disability. Injured workers do not need to prove negligence on the part of their employer to recover this compensation. However, it does not provide for all losses that a civil lawsuit would, such as pain and suffering. In many cases, employees are limited to recovering workers’ compensation rather than filing a lawsuit, although there are some limited exceptions.
- Personal injury lawsuits for workers: While workers' compensation is often the only pathway for employees, if a third party is at fault or shares liability, it might be possible to file a personal injury claim. Third parties may include subcontractors or manufacturers of faulty equipment. It’s important to look into all possible options for recovery, especially if you or a loved one experienced severe injuries in a workplace accident.
- Personal injury lawsuits for nonworkers: Not everyone injured by an industrial accident is an employee. Some industrial accidents contaminate water supplies and private property and cause other injuries to those nearby. In such cases, the victims may have the ability to file a personal injury claim against the company responsible for the accident.
Industrial accident statistics and facts
Every year, well over two million people suffer workplace injuries and illnesses in the US, while around 5,000 people lose their lives in workplace incidents. The implementation of workplace safety standards and the creation of OSHA have led to a reduction in these types of incidents. However, that’s little consolation for the millions of Americans who are left in pain and unable to work because of an injury that happened while they were working. The existence of these standards does make it more clear when a workplace neglects to take the necessary steps to safeguard workers.
Do you have an industrial accident attorney near me?
Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers has offices located at 3315 West Broad Street in Richmond, VA. You can visit us in person or schedule a video consultation with one of our experienced industrial accident lawyers.
Contact Phelan Petty today
Industrial accidents can cause severe harm and injuries and even lead to wrongful deaths. At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, our experienced team of industrial accident attorneys is here to support you and your family if you are struggling with the aftermath of one of these devastating events. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our lawyers.