Warehouse work is a fairly common and well-paying job. However, if you suffer an accident while working, then you could quickly lose your job position – unless you file a workers’ compensation claim. A workers’ comp claim gives workers, who are injured on the job, many kinds of benefits, such as medical coverage and lost wage pay.
As such, you may need to be aware of the kind of accident that can happen in a warehouse to not only ensure you’re safe but you receive workers’ comp benefits if you’re injured. Here’s what you should know:
Forklift accidents
As you may know, forklifts require a lot of training and experience. However, many workers aren’t qualified to operate forklifts, yet, still do.
A forklift accident could cause injuries that resemble those you would experience after a car accident. For example, you could suffer from a concussion or broken bones. But, because of the tongs on the end of the forklift, one wrong move could turn these into a deadly weapon and impale someone.
Chemical exposure
Many of the shipments being transported contain hazardous chemicals – and are labeled as such. However, in an accident where these chemicals are exposed, workers may suffer burns or medical problems.
Falling shipments
Shipments often move when transported in trucks. There’s always the chance, when a worker opens up the back end of a trailer, that a loose shipment falls out. Shipments vary in weight, but most of them are likely to pin down and injure workers.
Slip-and-fall accidents
Warehouses are often busy and that could mean that the floors are left unkempt throughout the day. That means there could be oil spills and liquids that workers have to watch for. If a worker slipped on a slick surface, then they could suffer severe injuries.
If you’re injured at work, then you may need to know what legal options you have for workers’ comp.