If you were the victim of an industrial accident that you sustained while on the job, you have the right to sue if the accident could have been prevented. Your employer has a legal duty to protect its workers from dangerous accidents. Don’t hire just any attorney to represent you. Contact DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC. Our Charleston industrial accident lawyers make every case a priority and aggressively advocate for each of our clients.
The Facts About Industrial and Workplace Accidents in West Virginia
In 2015, 4,836 fatal work-related injuries were recorded in the United States according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In West Virginia, this statistic is much lower, luckily. Only 35 fatalities resulted in the workplace during that same year. Among those 35 fatal accidents, 17 resulted from transportation-related accidents and 8 from accidents involving machinery and equipment.
While in recent years it has become far safer to work in an industrial environment, industrial workers are still placed at a larger risk than most other workers. There’s no denying the fact that working at a construction site, at an oil rig or field, at a factory, in agriculture, fishing, or hunting, or as a miner is oftentimes dangerous.
Working around heavy transportation vehicles and machinery is innately dangerous and precaution needs to be taken. When an employer fails to be cautious and is instead negligent, this is when accidents can and do occur. Heavy machinery requires inspections and maintenance. In addition, all equipment needs to be safely handled. When regular maintenance does not occur or when safety is not emphasized or correctly taught, workers may be placed in dangerous situations.
There’s also the fact that most industrial worksites are inherently dangerous. Construction workers, for example, commonly work at tall heights where falling accidents are common. Workers in oil refineries or factories are exposed to dangerous chemicals and toxins daily. Unless the corporations those employees work for take every step necessary to ensure safety is prioritized, those workers may be at risk.
Representing Clients in Coal Mining & Natural Gas Accidents
DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC has unique experience handling coal mining and railroad workers’ compensation claims. We helped recover more than $60 million on behalf of the West Virginia workers’ compensation fund from mining companies that were not paying contract miners who were injured on the job. The mining companies had massive unpaid debts, and we worked to assist the fund in recovering those monies for injured individuals.
We also handle many natural gas accidents that take place at industrial locations such as oil rigs, plants, and oil refineries. Natural gas is flammable and dangerous, and there is a high probability of injury in this line of work. We understand the level of investigation and representation necessary to resolve these cases. We are committed to advocating for injured workers and working as a team to secure the best possible settlement on their behalf.
Experienced Charleston Industrial Accident Lawyers on Your Side
At DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC, we’re proud to say that our personal injury firm is home to many of the most experienced work injury lawyers in West Virginia. We have experience going up against major corporations and industry giants like the natural gas industry and won’t hesitate to take the needed steps to ensure a struggling family can find the road to recovery.
If you’ve been injured in an industrial workplace accident and feel that negligence may be at fault, you deserve peace of mind. Filing a lawsuit against your employer or the corporation that allowed the accident to occur may deliver that peace of mind as well as give you the financial freedom you need to make a complete recovery and provide for your loved ones.
We can assist with these types of workplace accidents and more:
- Chemical or toxic exposure
- Construction accident
- Defective equipment
- Explosion
- Electrocution
- Caught in or between machinery
- Fall from heights or hit by falling debris or equipment
Call us today to set up a free case evaluation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we won’t collect our payment until you have received your compensation settlement or award.
