Manufacturing
Accidents
at Wilson, Reives & Doran
Safety is always a primary concern in manufacturing facilities. Avoiding injury in manufacturing accidents is a goal at just about every factory. However, as much as we talk about safety, post signs, conduct studies, and set goals, we are still beset with manufacturing injuries and accidents.
Injuries sustained in manufacturing accidents can be minor or extremely debilitating. Workers can lose their ability to earn a living, and their future livelihood can be jeopardized. The dedication of a good workers’ compensation lawyer often means the difference between a mediocre settlement and one that takes care of you and your family.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 329 fatal work injuries were recorded in the manufacturing industry in 2010.
Have you been involved in a manufacturing accident and need to file a worker’s compensation claim? The workers’ compensation and personal injury lawyers at Wilson, Reives & Doran know your rights and are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve.
What are the Most Common Manufacturing Workplace Hazards?
Strains, sprains, and tears account for 4 out of every 10 injuries and can cause thousands of missed workdays annually. Other serious injuries can be caused by the following accidents and risks:
If I’ve Been Injured in a Manufacturing Accident, What Should I Do Next?
First, report the injury in writing to your supervisor and ask them to direct you to a doctor so you can seek medical attention. While there is no set format for how to do this, you need to report your injury as quickly as possible. Many employers have a work injury form for injured employees to complete. That being said, even a text message (make sure to take a screenshot of it) will work as sufficient notice. Make sure what you say to employers and others remains consistent. And, if possible, document your working conditions to help illustrate any safety lapses.
Then, with the help of a personal injury lawyer, you can determine whether filing a workers’ compensation claim is your best course of action.
Where Do I Begin Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
If you are looking to claim workers’ compensation benefits for a personal injury, you should do so quickly. Any delay in filing on your part could lead to potential delays in receiving benefits. Reporting injuries immediately and filing a claim as soon as you decide to seek benefits will significantly increase your personal injury lawyer’s chances of recovering compensation quickly.
Your employer should give you a copy of an Industrial Commission Form 18 to complete (this is how you officially report a work injury). If you do not get a Form 18 from your employer, you can now complete the form electronically here after setting up an account.
The personal injury and worker’s compensation lawyers at Wilson, Reives & Doran are here to provide you with trusted, effective legal counsel. It will not cost you anything to come in for a consultation. We’ll focus on your claim, allowing you to focus on recovery and moving your life forward.
Being Struck By Objects or Equipment
While forklift accidents account for a large percentage of this type of accident, all mechanical motion is potentially hazardous.
Amputations and Crush Injuries
If you’re a production worker, you may lose or crush a finger or a limb when operating a food slicer, meat grinder, milling machine, powered conveyor belt, mechanical power press, drill press, lathe, band saw, or similar equipment.
Falls
You’re at high risk for a head or back injury or broken bones if you slip and fall on a wet production floor, stair, ladder, or uneven surface. Falls can occur on work sites, in offices, or in manufacturing environments.
Electrocution
You may receive a serious electric shock if wiring is exposed or a piece of machinery isn’t grounded properly.
Lifting Injuries
Every time a worker picks up an object, no matter how small, they are putting strain on the muscles and discs in their backs. In North Carolina, back injuries are compensable if the worker is injured because of a “specific traumatic incident”. Basically, this means that the injury does not have to be accidental like a slip, trip, or fall. If you hurt your back on the job while lifting, call our workers’ compensation team and set up a free consultation.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
High-production jobs where the worker is tasked with performing the same movement over and over can lead to injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome. These types of injuries require the production of specific evidence to prove that the employer is responsible for the workers’ injury.
If you have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, or other type of repetitive motion injury, the attorneys at Wilson, Reives & Doran are ready to help. Call today for your free consultation.