Warehouses in Gastonia are busy, high-pressure environments where accidents can happen in an instant. If you’ve been hurt on the job, working with a skilled Gastonia warehouse work injury lawyer can help protect your well-being and your future.
At Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler, we understand how falls, equipment malfunctions, and overexertion injuries can disrupt lives. Physical harm is often only part of the challenge; medical treatments, reduced income, and long recoveries can take an emotional and financial toll on workers and their families.
Injured employees may also face uncertainty about job security and future stability. Focusing on these risks underscores why strong legal guidance is essential after a warehouse accident.
For warehouse workers in Gastonia, Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler offers respected legal guidance backed by decades of experience. Our attorneys have received the Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished rating, highlighting high standards of professional achievement.
Recognition from Super Lawyers further demonstrates our dedication to representing injured employees with integrity and skill. By pairing these honors with practical experience in workers’ compensation law, we stand prepared to help warehouse employees pursue the benefits and security they deserve after a workplace accident.
Warehouses in Gastonia are a key transport and manufacturing hub in the area. Facilities near Interstate 85 or the Gastonia Technology Park are accustomed to frequent truck traffic, loading and unloading activity, and fast-paced time constraints as companies try to reach shipping deadlines.
The hub can lead to crowded yards and rushed stacking activity, forklifts and pallet jack exposure, and accidental slips, falls, or collisions from navigating cluttered or tight areas. These risks stem from local infrastructure and traffic volume, showing how a Gastonia warehouse can present an injury hazard when companies or employees neglect safe operating procedures.
The statistics regarding workplace injuries and illnesses statewide put the risks inherent in warehouse work into stark perspective. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), North Carolina employers reported 68,600 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023. The rate of nonfatal injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time employees in North Carolina in 2023 was 2.0.
Gastonia warehouse employees put themselves at risk of injury every time they come to work. Even when lifting heavy objects, performing repetitive motions, and using equipment and machinery all day, most employees try to do their jobs as safely as possible.
Accidents and injuries that result in a workers’ comp claim can still occur, but an understanding of the benefits available under North Carolina workers’ compensation law can help ensure that injured employees can pursue medical treatment, wage replacement, and other benefits to help them recover from workplace injuries.
Hazards from poorly stored materials, dangerous walking surfaces, and improperly maintained equipment are all easily preventable causes of warehouse accidents in Gastonia. When forklifts are used by untrained personnel, the results can be tip-overs, collisions, and pinning. Repetitive lifting with no ergonomic controls or equipment in place causes many cases of chronic back or shoulder pain.
The absence of fall protection in elevated work areas with no safety harness in place is another risk factor that can be easily eliminated. Minimizing common workplace hazards is the first step to reducing serious injuries and fatalities and creating a better Gastonia warehouse for its workers.
Hazards in warehouses include forklift operation, lifting and carrying heavy loads, working at heights, and climbing. Slippery or cluttered walkways are also an issue. Injury in such an environment can lead to crush injuries, sprains or fractures, or head trauma. Repetitive activities can lead to long-term effects like joint pain. Due to the different types of hazards involved in this line of work, working in a warehouse is one of the most dangerous jobs in North Carolina.
You should notify your supervisor as soon as possible after a warehouse injury occurs. North Carolina law requires written notification of your injury to your employer within 30 days. If you wait longer than that, your claim may be barred. Even if your injury appears minor, you should report it because symptoms may develop into something more serious later.
Yes, you can receive workers’ compensation for an occupational illness in North Carolina. If warehouse conditions expose you to harmful chemicals, dust, or repetitive tasks that cause long-term health issues, those conditions may qualify.
For example, lung conditions, skin diseases, or repetitive stress injuries may all be covered. Proving the connection between the illness and your job duties is critical to receiving workers’ compensation benefits for occupational diseases.
If you can’t return to your previous position at work because of your warehouse injury, you may be eligible for additional benefits under North Carolina law. Depending on your injury severity, workers’ compensation can support your new career path through vocational rehabilitation, plus retraining benefits or permanent disability benefits.
Knowing what benefits you qualify for when you cannot return to warehouse work enables you to take protective measures for your financial and career stability after an accident.
Warehouses in Gastonia rely on their employees to keep products moving. In fast-paced work environments, accidents can lead to serious and permanent injuries. At Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler, we know how stressful and difficult it can be to balance medical care and lost wages with the stress and anxiety of recovery.
Hiring a warehouse work injury lawyer can provide you with an advocate who can guide you through complex claims and fight for the benefits you are owed. Call Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler today to schedule a private, confidential consultation and find out how we can help you protect your rights following a warehouse accident. Our legal team can help you explore your options.