The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has very specific instructions that relate to safety equipment in the workplace. Without proper safety equipment, workers can suffer serious injuries or fatalities.
While many workers believe that their only option following an accident on the job is to file a workers’ compensation claim, this is not always the case. If a third party caused your injury, you might benefit from filing a personal injury claim directly against that party.
If you suffered injuries due to a lack of safety equipment, consider calling our team to learn how a Los Angeles lack of safety equipment lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 529-9122 can help you understand how to ensure your legal rights remain protected.
Types of Safety Equipment
Every single construction site and worksite is different and needs specific safety equipment in order to reduce the risk of injuries or fatalities. Whenever there is a potential for falling, electrocution, exposure to hazardous materials or chemicals, falling objects or debris, or other dangerous conditions, having the proper safety equipment can actually mean the difference between life and death.
Some of the types of safety equipment a worker may need could include:
- Hard hats
- Proper harnesses
- Secure scaffolding
- Safety lines
- Railings
- Barricades
- Wall supports
- Proper footwear
- Safety goggles or glasses
- Gloves
- Safety vests
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Appropriate ladders
- Appropriate emergency first aid equipment
Additionally, the state of California has safety guidelines for all of these types of safety equipment. For example, the Department of Industrial Relations’ Construction Safety Orders section 1637 has all state-required safety guidelines with respect to scaffolding on worksites.
It is important to note that every worksite and project will require its own set of safety equipment. If a worker negligently fails to use their safety equipment, or you were not provided with adequate safety equipment, catastrophic injuries or fatalities may occur.
Lack of Safety Equipment
The lack of safety equipment in a workplace or on a worksite can easily result in severe injuries or fatalities.
Even workers who practice proper safety techniques and have substantial experience may suffer injuries as a result of the lack of safety equipment. Proper safety equipment will always lead to the improvement of a worker’s performance, and ensure that there is a diminished risk for accidents.
Without proper safety equipment, accidents can occur, including falls from roofs or other high places, slip and fall accidents, or exposure to dangerous or hazardous chemicals or toxic substances.
For a free legal consultation with a Lack of Safety Equipment Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 529-9122
Determining Liability Following Accidents Resulting from Lack of Safety Equipment
If you suffered injuries related to an accident in the workplace or on a worksite, you might believe that your only recourse to seek compensation for your injuries and losses is through a workers’ compensation claim.
While you may have the legal right to pursue a workers’ compensation claim against your employer if they failed to provide you with safety equipment, in other cases, injuries occur due to others failing to follow safety protocols or failing to properly use safety equipment.
Many different contractors and subcontractors are on the same worksite at the same time in order to complete a construction job or another type of work. If you suffered injuries as a direct result of another worker failing to use proper safety equipment, you might be able to pursue a claim for compensation against the other contactor or subcontractor for your injuries.
Contractors and Subcontractors
If you suffered injuries as a result of another contractor or subcontractor failing to provide their employees with proper safety equipment, you might be able to file a claim for compensation directly against that other entity.
This type of claim would allow you to hold that employer responsible for your injuries and losses. An example would be if an employee from another company failed to provide you with proper safety equipment for a job you were working on in conjunction with their employees.
Another example would be if one of their employees failed to have correct or proper footwear, slipped and fell, and injured you in the process or caused you to fall from a roof. Any instance in which another person or entity’s lack of safety equipment resulted in your injuries can be the foundation for a claim to receive compensation.
Government Agencies
If your worksite was on government property or included work with employees of a government agency, you may have the legal right to pursue a claim against that governmental agency if they failed to provide their workers with proper safety equipment, which led to your injuries resulting from an accident.
These types of claims against a government entity are legally complex. Therefore, consider calling our team to learn how a Los Angeles lack of safety equipment lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you with your next steps.
Los Angeles Lack of Safety Equipment Lawyer Near Me (800) 529-9122
Statute of Limitations
The state of California has a deadline, known as the statute of limitations, by which you must file a personal injury case in order to receive compensation for your injuries and losses under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. The statute of limitations in the state of California to pursue compensation against another entity or person regarding a personal injury case is only two years from the date of the accident.
Click to contact our Lack of Safety Equipment Lawyers today
Learn How a Los Angeles Lack of Safety Equipment Lawyer Can Help You with Your Next Steps
If you suffered injuries related to an accident resulting from a lack of safety equipment, a lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm might be able to help you ensure your legal rights remain protected.
Without proper safety equipment, your injuries may be quite substantial, leaving you with significant medical bills, the inability to return to work resulting in lost wages, as well as pain and suffering related to your injuries. Consider contacting our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 529-9122 today.
Call or text (800) 529-9122 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
