Falling object injuries are responsible for serious injuries to thousands of workers and visitors in Texas every year. These accidents can occur anywhere, from construction sites to retail stores, and can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and other severe conditions. If a falling object has injured you because of someone else’s negligence, speak to a Beaumont falling objects injury lawyer from Schechter, Shaffer & Harris LLP today. Our work accident lawyers know how to handle these kinds of cases.
Falling Object Injuries
Things that fall from an overhead area can come down with a great deal of force. Even small objects can do great harm when falling from a high place. The law of physics says this force increases exponentially with the height and weight of the object.
Common injuries arising from falling objects include concussion, skull fracture, neck and back injuries, broken bones, and damaged internal organs, which may result in permanent disabilities.
Where Falling Object Accidents Occur
Falling object accidents happen in lots of places in Beaumont, and each one of these locations has its own set of liability issues:
- Construction Sites: Tools, materials, and equipment that fall from scaffolding, cranes, and upper floors can cause serious and significant injuries.
- Distribution Centers: Items falling from high shelves or not secured on forklifts are responsible for falling object accidents.
- Retail Establishments: Merchandise falling from the top shelves or displays that have not been regularly checked and/or secured may injure employees or customers.
- Manufacturing Facilities: Industrial accidents involving falling machinery parts, materials, or tools can cause devastating injuries.
- Residential and Commercial Properties: Debris falling off buildings resulting from maintenance work or renovations can severely injure a person.
Texas Non-Subscriber Law Advantages
Texas law allows employers to opt out of the workers’ compensation system and become non-subscribers. The compensation received in a non-subscriber lawsuit is greater than what is accepted in workers’ compensation claims. Non-subscriber lawsuits allow you to ask for full damages, including pain and suffering, complete wage replacement, and punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence.
Non-subscriber employers also lose several legal defenses they usually rely on, like an assumption of risk defense and the fellow servant rule (based on an employee’s carelessness). In response, non-subscribing employers have a harder time proving their liability for your injuries.
Medical Consequences and Treatment
Various combinations of falling object injuries may cause conditions that require specialized treatment.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: A blow to the head can lead to a concussion, brain bleeding, or cognitive troubles, all which can cause impairment or serious medical issues.
- Spinal Injuries: When back and neck trauma happens, it can bring about harm such as disc herniation or vertebral fractures.
- Orthopedic Injuries: Broken bones, joint damage, and soft tissue injuries often require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma can injure internal organs, which, in some cases, leads to death.
Victims of falling object injuries can seek workers’ compensation benefits or, if an employer does not subscribe, sue for damages for lost earning capacity or wages, pain and suffering, disability benefits, and punitive damages.
Time-Sensitive Legal Action
Texas statute of limitations laws set very definite time frames within which personal injury claims must be filed. You only have two years to submit a claim, otherwise, you can’t receive damages. Having a lawyer at your side will prevent you from experiencing financial hardship. We can counter the insurance company’s arguments and preserve your evidence so we can correctly argue your case.
Consult Our Beaumont Falling Object Injury Attorneys
Our legal firm can fully understand all the legal issues presented in these matters. We also have resources that enable us to conduct a detailed investigation and falling objects have injured clients. For instance, we engage accident reconstruction experts, safety engineers, and doctors to fully review and support the medical side of clients’ claims.
A contingency fee basis means we only charge a fee if we secure a financial settlement or victory for you. This financial agreement also allows you to focus on getting well while we concentrate on the legalities.
Don’t allow the negligence of another party to cause you undue suffering. Contact a qualified Beaumont falling objects injury lawyer from Schechter, Shaffer & Harris LLP for a free consultation. We will assess your case, inform you of your legal options, and begin the process for recovery.
