Utility jobs can require working at heights and close to traffic, which increases the risk of serious injuries. Utility worker accidents in San Antonio can lead to life-altering injuries that require expensive medical care and weeks or months out of work. Depending on your employer, you may need to file a lawsuit to get compensation for these costs. This can be a complicated and stressful process. Hiring a construction accident attorney will ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible.
Utility workers can be struck by falling objects, exposed to hazardous chemicals or other substances, or involved in traffic accidents. They can also slip and fall or develop repetitive stress injuries over time from lifting or other movements.
San Antonio utility worker accidents can cause injuries like broken bones, brain and spinal cord injuries, cuts, burns, and limb amputations. Chemical exposure can also cause a range of lung problems like asthma, which may or may not be reversible depending on how quickly it is diagnosed. Some of these accidents are unavoidable, but others are caused by carelessness or missing safety procedures. Defective safety equipment can also be a factor.
An injured utility worker may be able to sue their employer or another party. Texas employers can decide whether or not to participate in the state workers’ compensation system. If an employer is subscribed to workers’ compensation, an injured employee will need to file a workers’ compensation claim. If someone other than their employer, such as an outside contractor or an equipment manufacturer, contributed to the accident, the injured person can sue the third party.
If an injured person’s employer is not participating in workers’ compensation, they can sue their employer after an accident. However, winning a lawsuit or getting a good settlement requires proving that the employer was negligent. To be negligent, a person or organization needs to have a duty to behave a certain way, fail to uphold their duty, and cause an injury. For example, employers have a duty to provide appropriate safety equipment for their employees. If an employer does not offer the right safety gear and an employee has an accident that the gear would have prevented, the employer would generally be liable. In a lawsuit, the injured person can be awarded compensation for their lost wages and medical bills as well as non-economic losses like physical pain, emotional trauma, or loss of enjoyment of life. This means the injured person can receive more money than they would have from workers’ compensation.
Utility worker accidents in San Antonio can cause serious and expensive injuries. Getting compensation for these injuries can be difficult and may require filing a lawsuit. Personal injury lawsuits can be complicated, so hiring a lawyer is important. Your lawyer will help you understand what to expect and increase your chances of getting the compensation you need. Schedule your free initial consultation with Felix Gonzalez Accident and Injury Law to discuss your case today.