What Is the Leading Cause of Accidents in Industry?

Industrial work environments are inherently some of the most dangerous workplaces in the country. Therefore, if you or a family member works in any industrial setting, it is crucial to acknowledge the risks you face each day at work. Additionally, you must also know how to navigate the workers’ compensation claim process if an accident does occur.

Various government agencies and independent organizations collate data for workplace injuries across the country, and this data has shown several risk factors prevalent throughout all industrial work environments. According to the most recent workplace injury reports from across the United States, the leading cause of all accidents in industrial workplaces and all other work environments is human error.

Understanding Human Error and Industrial Accidents

The term human error may seem vague and subjective, but it’s important to understand what constitutes human error when it comes to workplace injuries and compensation for these injuries. Under most state workers’ compensation laws, an injured employee does not disqualify themselves from securing workers’ compensation benefits if their own error caused their injury. However, there are several distinct exceptions to this rule.

Any industrial work operation carries an inherent degree of risk. Employees in industrial work environments are expected to possess adequate training and experience necessary to manage their job duties safely; they are also expected to follow all workplace safety rules and industry-specific safety regulations at all times. As long as a human error occurs in good faith, this should not exclude the injured worker from qualifying for workers’ compensation benefits.

There are, however, certain behaviors that would disqualify an injured worker from claiming workers’ compensation benefits. Your employer’s workers’ compensation policy likely includes clearly stated terms and conditions that include descriptions of disqualifying actions. A few of the most common reasons for workers’ compensation benefits to be denied include the following:

• Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is dangerous in any work environment but especially hazardous in industrial workplaces. If a worker causes their own accident because they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work, it will almost always disqualify them from claiming benefits.
• Intentional violation of workplace safety policies. All industrial workers must adhere to their employers’ workplace safety regulations at all times. Failure to do so can lead to loss of the right to claim workers’ compensation benefits, especially if it is revealed that the injured worker had a history of committing similar safety violations in the past.
• Horseplay and intentional misconduct at work. Unfortunately, some industrial workers engage in irresponsible horseplay and other intentional misconduct in their workplaces that can easily result in serious injuries. If the insurance company investigates an injury and discovers this is the case, they will likely deny benefits to the claimant.

While the workers’ compensation claim filing process may seem simple enough at first, the reality is that many injured workers face unexpected challenges in their pursuit of compensation for their injuries. Having legal counsel to advise you through your claim filing process can significantly improve your experience and increase the chances of securing the maximum amount of benefits available to you. The work injury attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler can provide the comprehensive legal representation you will need for this type of case and can provide further legal counsel if you have additional avenues of recovery available to you.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Main Cause of Industrial Accidents?

A: The leading cause of all workplace accidents in the United States is human error, which is attributed to roughly 90% of all workplace injury claims in the country each year. Any type of human error can potentially cause a devastating accident, especially in an industrial workplace. If you are unsure how your injury occurred, it’s vital to consult an experienced workplace injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options for recovering from the incident.

Q: What Is the Most Common Workplace Injury?

A: Falls are the most common workplace injury in the US. A slip-and-fall accident can easily result in traumatic injuries, including brain damage, broken bones, facial injuries, and more. The severity of the resulting harm to the victim typically depends on the height and location of the fall. Any fall that occurs in an industrial work environment has a very high chance of resulting in tremendous damage.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for an Industrial Accident?

A: If you are injured in any industrial work environment, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy should cover the cost of any medical care you require, along with compensation for the income you are unable to earn during your recovery. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney is the best resource to consult after any industrial accident if you want the best chance of maximizing the benefits you obtain.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Receive Workers’ Compensation for an Industrial Accident?

A: It should only take a few weeks to receive your first benefits check from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. You can streamline your claim filing process by having an experienced attorney assist you with filing your claim. If any disputes arise between you and your employer and/or their insurance company, you will need experienced legal representation to resolve these issues on your behalf.

Q: What Happens If an Industrial Accident Is Fatal?

A: Unfortunately, many industrial work environments are extremely dangerous, and accidents may cause fatal injuries. In the event you have lost a family member in any fatal industrial accident, you may be entitled to death benefits through their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. An experienced attorney is the best asset to have in this situation, as they will guide you through the claim filing process and help you secure the maximum amount of benefits available to you.

The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler have years of professional experience in workers’ compensation law, and we have assisted many past clients with their industrial accident claims. Our team takes time to get to know each client and provides personalized legal counsel. If you need assistance recovering from a recent industrial accident, contact us today and schedule a consultation to learn more about the legal services we offer.