They say everything is bigger in Texas, but there are some things we all wish were smaller. The number of people that are injured or killed in workplace accidents is one of them.
According to the Texas Observer, which gathered data from various government sources on workplace injuries or illnesses in Texas, “Every year since 2009, Texas has registered more deaths on the job than any other state… In 2017, a worker in Texas died on the job every 16 hours. They died from electrocution, asphyxiation, falls from roofs, exposure to toxins, equipment malfunctions, heatstroke, and automobile collisions. The death toll exceeded the number of murders in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin combined.”
Shocking, But Not Surprising
These statistics are shocking, but not surprising to those of us at the Sherman Law Firm. Our firm has helped countless Houston area workers seek compensation for workplace injuries and illnesses.
We help injured workers get money to pay their medical bills, and help them recover lost wages. Our goal is to put our clients back in the financial position they would have been in if they had never been injured at all.
If our clients are unable to work going forward, we try to get them compensation for the future income they will miss out on. If they need to transition to a new type of job, we can help them seek money to pay for job training or college.
When The Worst Happens
When the worst happens, and a loved one is killed in a workplace accident, our firm can help the worker’s family file a wrongful death lawsuit. Although no amount of money can bring back a loved one, or ease the pain caused by their death, it can bring a family relief to know that the person or organization who caused their loved one’s death is being held responsible.
Under Texas law, a lawsuit for wrongful death can be filed if the “wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default” of one party causes the death of another. To have a valid claim, it is necessary to show that the defendant’s negligence caused or contributed to the death.
The leading causes of workplace injuries include:
- Unsafe work conditions
- Lack of safety equipment
- Improper training/supervision
- Lack of appropriate warnings
These are all forms of negligence that can trigger a wrongful death lawsuit.
On-The-Job Injuries Should Not Go Untreated Or Unnoticed
Nobody expects to be injured after punching the clock, but far too many Texas workers are put at risk by bosses and companies that value big profits more than their workers’ lives. Our firm works tirelessly to bring these ruthless taskmasters to justice. We hold them accountable for the harm they cause and hope that our work makes them stop and think so that fewer people are injured in the future.
If you or a loved one has suffered a workplace injury or illness, we are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.