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Unsafe work conditions at your job are unacceptable. Whether you faced these conditions during the coronavirus pandemic or any other time, your employer might be responsible for the harm that resulted from the conditions. If you were injured at work because of unsafe workplace conditions, call The Queenan Law Firm today.
Our Houston attorneys for work injuries caused by unsafe work conditions from coronavirus (COVID-19) might be able to help you sue your employer for workplace injuries. Cases occurring during the coronavirus are often complicated. Call our attorneys today to set up a free consultation where we can review the facts of your case and help you understand your options. Call us today at (817) 476-1797 to schedule your free legal consultation.
Suing an Employer for COVID-19-Related Workplace Safety Hazards
If you faced dangerous conditions at your workplace, you might be entitled to sue your employer. Some workplaces face increased hazards from the coronavirus due to shortages in personal protective equipment and other safety gear. Other essential workers might find that their employers were using the coronavirus as an excuse to put worker safety to the bottom of their priority list. In either case, patently unsafe conditions at your workplace should be corrected – and if they are not, your employer could be held liable.
Many employers carry workers’ compensation insurance. If you did not opt out of workers’ comp. at your job, you might have to file your claim through workers’ comp. instead of a lawsuit. If that happens, you might receive only limited damages. However, you could be entitled to sue a third party for their negligence, such as a customer or client who creates dangerous workplace conditions or an equipment manufacturer that provided dangerous safety gear. You might also be able to sue if you are an independent contractor or your employer committed intentional acts of violence against you.
If you opted out of workers’ compensation and retained your right to sue, you might be able to hold your employer liable for any serious safety hazards at work. Many state and local laws as well as federal regulations from OSHA and other agencies require certain safety standards to be met. For many people working with sick patients, hazardous chemicals, or other dangers, certain levels of personal protective equipment are required. Failing to provide you with adequate safety gear might be a violation of these standards and could lead to liability. Similarly, an employer who fails to follow standards for safe work environments and safety training can also be held at fault.
When you sue, you might be entitled to claim damages for any medical expense, lost wages, and pain and suffering the injury caused you.
Damages for Workplace Injuries Related to Coronavirus in Houston
If you were injured at work or contracted the coronavirus because of unsafe workplace conditions, you might be entitled to substantial compensation. In many injury cases, compensation can be claimed for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Medical Expenses
If your employer allowed you to get sick from COVID-19 because of unsafe work conditions, medical expenses might be high. Additionally, serious injuries could lead to long-term disabilities, potentially requiring ongoing medical care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital access might be strained, and you could have faced long wait times for your medical care. This could mean you need additional care to make up for the delayed treatment, which could increase your medical care costs.
Lost Wages
If your injury or illness prevents you from working, causes you to lose your job, or makes it impossible to ever return to work, you might be entitled to damages for lost wages. These damages can make up for wages you missed during your recovery as well as wages you will miss going forward.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages are independent from these other economic costs. These damages are paid to compensate you for the physical, mental, and emotional effects of the injury. In serious COVID-19 cases, patients experience intense pain and discomfort that could lead to high compensation. The same is usually true with long-term disabilities, which can have a serious impact on your day-to-day experiences and enjoyment of life.
Wrongful Death Damages
If your loved one was killed by COVID-19 or coronavirus, additional wrongful death damages might be claimed. The same is true if your loved one died from other workplace safety issues during the shutdown or the pandemic. Talk to an attorney about what your case is worth.
Settlements
Damages are often limited if you file a workers’ comp. claim. Lost wages are typically paid at a reduced rate, medical care costs are only covered through certain physicians, and pain and suffering damages are usually denied altogether. For help determining what your case is worth and how to best maximize the damages you receive, talk to a lawyer first.
In many cases, your employer will try to settle the claim out of court instead of going to trial. It is important that you talk to a lawyer before settling your case because once you settle, you are usually barred from going back to court and claiming additional damages.
Call Our Houston COVID-19 and Coronavirus Workplace Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Consultation
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident at work caused by unsafe conditions, call The Queenan Law Firm today. Our Houston attorneys for work injuries caused by unsafe work conditions from coronavirus (COVID-19) understand some of the risks that workers are facing during the coronavirus pandemic. We represent ill and injured workers – whether they have the coronavirus or another serious illness or injury – and we fight to get them compensation from their employers. For a free consultation on your case, contact us today at (817) 476-1797.