- Workers' Compensation
When it comes to a workplace accident, it doesn’t matter what kind of work you do. Our Florida workers comp attorneys don’t care what caused your workplace injuries. Our job is to make sure you get the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
Even jobs that seem like they would be safe can be dangerous at times. However, there are certain industries that are a lot more dangerous than others. The general rule is that any job that requires you to do physical labor will be more dangerous than an office job.
For example, if you are an accountant, the odds of you getting hurt at work are low. The same is true for a lawyer or professor. But if you work in the manufacturing industry, you are at a much higher risk of getting hurt.
Our Ft. Lauderdale workers comp lawyers have represented hundreds of factory workers over the years. Many of them suffer similar types of workplace injuries. Of course, some injuries are more serious than others. Here, we will discuss the most common workplace injuries in manufacturing. We will also describe which jobs within the manufacturing sector are the most dangerous.
How Many Manufacturing Workers Get Hurt Every Year?
There are more than 100,000 factory workers hurt on the job every year. This comes out to be approximately 3.3% of all employees. Imagine that you work at a factory or power plant and there are a hundred other employees. The odds of you getting hurt at work are about 3%.
While these numbers seem low, you never know when an accident can happen. Depending on the type of work you do, you may be at a higher risk of sustaining workplace injuries than your coworkers.
Workplace Injuries in Factories Tend to Be More Serious
The other thing about manufacturing jobs is that the workplace injuries factory workers suffer tend to be rather serious. Given the nature of the work you do, there is a good chance you could end up in the hospital. You may need surgery or long-term physical therapy.
Sadly, some of the workplace injuries our clients suffer are life-threatening. In 2021, for example, there were over 380 fatalities in this industry. Our Florida workers comp attorneys do whatever they can to make sure our clients are taken care of. If you are hurt on the job, then your employer should take care of you. We have the workers’ compensation system in Florida for situations like this.
Are Certain Manufacturing Jobs More Dangerous Than Others?
While the manufacturing industry is dangerous, there are certain jobs within the industry that are more dangerous than others. For example, if you work in a power plant, you will be at a much greater risk of sustaining workplace injuries than if you work in a factory that manufactures stuffed animals.
Some of the more dangerous jobs within the manufacturing industry include the following:
- Power plants
- Paper mills
- Forklift operators
- Machinists
- Chemical manufacturing
Of course, these aren’t the only dangerous positions. They are just some of the more dangerous jobs our clients have held in the past.
There Are 5 Workplace Injuries That Are Very Common Amongst Factory Workers
One of the reasons why factory jobs are so dangerous is because of the nature of the work the employees do. It is a lot different than working in an office or a retail environment.
Manufacturing workers put their lives at risk every time they clock in. They often have to work with heavy, dangerous equipment. Some workers are forced to work with dangerous chemicals that can burn or injure their skin.
Aside from the examples provided here, there are a host of other workplace injuries that are very common in the manufacturing sector. These include the following:
1. Slip and Fall Accidents
The environment in which manufacturing employees work is not always safe. There could be debris and other residue on the floors. Workers may have to maneuver around heavy equipment and containers. This makes it easy for slip-and-fall accidents to happen.
2. Overexertion
Many factory employees work more than eight hours per day. This is especially true when an employer offers overtime pay. After lifting heavy boxes all day, a person’s body gets overtired and overexerted. This can lead to carelessness. Or it can lead to muscle strains.
3. Repetitive Motion Injuries
When you are forced to do the same job over and over again, it can cause strain on your body. You may experience a repetitive stress injury to your wrist, hand, or fingers.
4. Dangerous Contact with an Object
If you work in the manufacturing sector, you may be surrounded by heavy, dangerous objects. For example, a heavy tote container could fall off a high shelf and hit you on the head. Or a piece of equipment may fall off a machine and strike you in the back.
5. Contact with a Dangerous Substance
If you have to work with hazardous materials, you could easily suffer workplace injuries.
Your Florida Workers Comp Attorney Will Make Sure You Get the Benefits You Deserve
If you are a factory worker and you get hurt on the job, you have rights. As long as you meet the criteria for workers’ compensation, you should receive weekly benefits. In addition, your medical care should be covered by your employer’s insurance carrier.
If your employer denies your claim, you still have options. The only way to find out for sure is to talk to an experienced Ft. Lauderdale workers comp lawyer. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling workers’ compensation cases as many of our clients work in the manufacturing sector. We are familiar with the type of workplace injuries factory workers suffer, as well as the tactics the insurance companies use to avoid paying workers’ compensation claims.
Call our office as soon as possible after your workplace accident and book your free, initial consultation right away.
