Injuries Due to a Lack of Safety Equipment

Every year thousands of Americans are hurt on the job and there is usually someone to blame for that injury. Accidents do happen but on-the-job injuries often result from negligence on the part of the worker or negligence on the part of the employer. It is not uncommon for employers to act negligently towards their workers and they do so in a number of different ways.

One of the situations that consistently leads to injuries is a lack of provided safety equipment. Workers can ask for the equipment but employers are in a unique situation in this regard. Whether the employer provides the appropriate equipment or not, the workers still want to earn a paycheck and they are sure to earn nothing if they refuse to work because of the safety conditions. Additionally, workers are easily satisfied with an employer’s claim that he/she will get the equipment soon but to keep working, creating a potential injury due to employer negligence.

What Workers Can Do

A large number of industries are protected by unions. If you are not being provided appropriate safety equipment by your employer and he/she refuses to provide that, you can likely receive help from your union. You should let your employer know that you are concerned about your safety, but, if your requests are not granted, it may be necessary to take further action.

You also have the option to refuse to work. This will keep you from earning money and potentially cause you to lose your job, but it might be worth avoiding the risk of injury. This is something that you’ll have to ask yourself to find out what matters most to you.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured as a result of insufficient safety equipment provided by your employer, you might be able to recover damages. You deserve to be compensated for your injuries, so call a Chicago construction and personal injury lawyer from Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. at 312-466-8200 today.