Explosions in the workplace can occur due to flammable substances, defective electrical products, or dangerous elements such as gas and oil tanks. Construction sites, manufacturing facilities, oil refineries, and mines all pose a risk of explosion injuries to workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 121 fatal work injuries from fires and explosions in 2015. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with safer workplaces and employer practices. If you recently suffered burns, loss of limb, or other injuries in a workplace explosion, discuss your potential personal injury case with an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Chalik & Chalik.
Causes and Effects of Workplace Explosions
Workplace explosions are most likely to occur when the environment or conditions are unsafe for workers. Poorly maintained pieces of equipment, lack of employee training, and pressure from employers can lead to fires and explosions that due care could have prevented. While some industries run a greater risk of explosions by nature, there should be strict rules and regulations in place to minimize the risk of these issues. Explosions can be extremely damaging to employees and lead to injuries such as:
- Pressure on the tissues of the ears, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract
- Struck by debris or shrapnel
- Smoke or toxic substance inhalation
- Thermal and chemical burns
- Traumatic amputation
- Crush or impact injuries
The most common causes of workplace explosions involve storage tanks with flammable substances, hot work activities, equipment with combustion engines, exhaust equipment, static electricity, and mechanical sparks. Employers should be aware of how to control combustible dust, electrical hazards, and fires in dangerous work environments. Failure to properly prevent, control, or contain explosions at work can lead to serious injury and employer liability. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale explosion injury lawyers know the in’s and out’s of these types of cases. Its important to have a representative who is organized, knowledgeable and ready to fight for you. Contact us today for a free no obligation consultation, our attorneys are on standby and handle cases around the clock.
Find a Fort Lauderdale Explosion Injuries Lawyer Near Me
(954) 476-1000What to Do After a Workplace Explosion
After a harmful explosion in the workplace, your first action should be to receive medical attention for injuries. Once you’re on the mend, start questioning what might have caused the disaster. Where were you when it happened? Who else was on the site? What type of safety training did you receive to handle the dangerous item or substance? If you have any suspicions that the negligence of an employer, coworker, or other party caused or contributed to the explosion, seek help from an attorney in Fort Lauderdale.
In many cases, explosions stem directly from employer negligence. An employer may have failed to identify a dangerous workplace condition, give employees adequate training or safety gear, or provide a safe working environment. In other situations, a third party is to blame for the incident – the manufacturer of a defective product or a careless employee who caused the explosion. Working with an attorney can make identify the appropriate defendant(s) easy. It can also safeguard important evidence, such as photographs of the scene and workplace safety reports.
The lawyers at the Law Offices of Chalik & Chalik understand how devastating a workplace explosion can be. If a worker survives the blast, he or she will likely suffer serious to permanent physical injuries. The worker may never be able to return to his/her old career and may have to live with a lifelong disability – all because of someone else’s breach of duty in the workplace.
Call or text Chalik & Chalik
(954) 476-1000