The skills and qualifications that you must have when working in a warehouse will depend on your job duties. Broadly speaking, you must have some form of training before you start working in a warehouse. Likewise, if you operate any kind of heavy machinery, like a forklift, you must have undergone safety training and have an operator’s license.
The safety training must comply with OSHA (Occupational Safety And Health Administration) requirements. It’s also vital to note that extra training is required for specialized forklifts, including aerial forklifts.
The Importance of Complying with Training and License Requirements
Warehouses have inherent dangerous conditions and safety risks that can injure workers. The OSHA enforces strict safety standards for all workplaces, including warehouses. This means that warehouse employers are required to ensure their workers’ safety by providing proper and sufficient training, inspecting the premises and machinery, and addressing any safety risks right away, among others.
Otherwise, workers can suffer various injuries from unsafe working conditions, such as:
- Faulty electrical systems or wiring
- Improperly stacked merchandise
- Defective walls or floors
- Unsafe mechanical tools or machinery
- Repetitive motion/stress injuries
- Inadequate or lack of safety training
- Lack of safety equipment
If you were hurt while on the job, you may qualify for workers’ compensation insurance benefits and/or a third-party claim, depending on the specific circumstances of the events that led to your injuries.
Seeking Workers’ Compensation Insurance Benefits
Injured New York employees can pursue workers’ compensation benefits when they get injured at work. Most employers in New York must provide workers’ compensation insurance benefits for their employees who have suffered a work-related illness or injury.
But be warned. To receive these benefits, your employer’s insurance provider will need to determine if your illness or injury is covered by workers’ comp. The insurer may even dispute the severity and cause of your condition to try and reduce your benefits. They may even attempt to find ways to deny your claim altogether.
It’s also crucial to note that some workplace accidents arise from employer negligence or misconduct. For example, multiple safety violations might indicate willful wrongdoing. But while you’re generally prohibited from suing your employer, which is a safeguard and compromise for providing workers’ comp insurance, you can possibly obtain more compensation if the accident resulted from your employer’s serious and intentional misconduct.
Pursuing Compensation for Work-Related Injuries Through a Third-Party Claim
You can possibly seek compensation for your injuries from a liable third party, which can include a contractor, manufacturer, subcontractor, or another employer, among others if their actions directly caused or contributed to your workplace injury. But you must show that your injury and related damages resulted from the third party’s negligence.
Reach Out to Our Experienced Brooklyn Personal Injury Attorneys Today
Our skilled Brooklyn personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling workers’ compensation insurance claims and third-party claims involving work-related injuries, so we can advise you on the best legal options for your specific case.
Contact Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman and schedule your free case consultation by calling 347-822-3937 or contacting us online.