Falling Object Injuries
Being struck by a falling object is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and deaths. In fact, the injury category “struck by” is identified by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) as one of its “Big Four” construction hazards (types of accidents that cause the most serious injuries and deaths in the construction industry).
However, construction workers are not the only ones at risk of being struck and harmed by a falling object. Also, it isn’t only large objects that can fall and injure workers. Dropped from sufficient height, even a small object such as a bolt can become a deadly projectile.
If a falling object at the workplace has injured you and left you unable to do your job — or any job — you may be eligible to receive medical benefits and lost-wage benefits through Florida’s workers’ compensation program.
Contact Frank M. Eidson, P.A., for a free case review. A lawyer from our firm can help you to understand your legal options and protect your interests. We represent clients in Orlando and throughout central Florida.
How Common are Falling Object Injuries?
Being struck by an object at work is a very real danger. According to the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, “struck by object” injuries rank No. 5 on a list of the top 10 causes of disabling workplace injuries.
Who Is At Risk of a Falling Object Injury?
The occupations that accumulate the most lost-worktime struck-by injuries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), are:
- Construction laborers
- Non-construction laborers
- Truck drivers
- Assemblers
- Carpenters
- Welders and cutters
- Janitors and cleaners
- Stock handlers and baggers
- Food preparers
- Cooks
What Types of Objects Fall and Injure Workers?
The same BLS report that identified the top occupations for struck-by injuries also notes the leading sources of injury. They include:
- Building materials
- Wood/lumber
- Containers
- Boxes
- Fasteners
- Handtools
- Nails
- Metal Chips
- Particles
- Knives
What Types of Injuries Do Falling Objects Cause?
Some of the injuries likely to be caused by a falling object are:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussions and skull fractures
- Crushed vertebrae, spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken shoulders
- Eye injuries
- Crushed feet
- Deep cuts/lacerations
- Death.
How Can an Orlando Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help With Your Falling Object Injury?
When you are recovering from an injury that is serious enough to warrant missing work, your health should be your priority. Paperwork and filing deadlines, however, can be time-consuming as well as complex. Any mistakes could result in your claim being delayed or denied.
It also may not be clear who the responsible party is. Most likely, your claim will be covered by workers’ compensation.
However, it may be necessary to file suit against someone other than your employer, such as the manufacturer of faulty scaffolding that collapses and causes your injury. These third-party claims might also be necessary if workers’ compensation doesn’t fully cover your losses.
These are just a few of the issues that can arise in a Florida workplace injury case.Frank Eidson, P.A., will strive to make sure that you are fairly compensated in a timely manner, with as few complications as possible.
To learn more, contact us today, at our Orlando or Winter Park locations, and discuss your case with a lawyer for free.
For More Information
9 Common Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Workers Compensation Case