A Helpful Compensation Guide for Injured Metalworkers in the Metal Fabrication Industry

Work Accident

Despite what you may have heard, the manufacturing industry in the country is thriving and growing by leaps and bounds each year due the rising demand from the public when it comes to goods and overall rising consumption, as well as the rising wealth of the American public. Metal fabrication is an industry that is responsible for the creation of various goods from metal, and it produces things like cutlery, metal containers, beams, doors, trusses, windows, boilers, shipping containers, tanks, pipes, faucets and so much more.

Our civilization depends on metal such as steel and iron, and as such, the metal fabrication industry shows no sign of letting up, with more and more individuals opting to sign up to work in this industry. However, metal fabrication factories are fraught with risk due to the extreme temperatures, weight of materials as well as sharpness and malleability of materials one has to work around, creating a perfect storm of injury and subsequent liability. It is important to note that human negligence or error has been attributed as being the sole cause of injuries, with this figure running up to 90 percent. In the past, workplace injuries were attributed to freak occurrences, but with the advent of science as well as the ability to model these accidents in specialized computer programs, it has been conclusively shown that these accidents wouldn’t have happened save for the actions or inaction of a human.

To this end, if you are an employee in the metal product fabrication industry that got injured while on the job, you may be able to recover compensation if you go about it the right way, and we’re here to help with that.

Did you suffer injuries as a factory metalworker? The experienced metal fabrication worker injury lawyers at McCready Law have for over two decades helped thousands of workers just like you get the justice and compensation they deserve in order to rebuild their lives after suffering a catastrophic injury while at work. What sets McCready Law best injured factory workers attorneys apart is the fact that we have nationwide reach, as well as our willingness to litigate cases if we believe we can get you a much larger payout compared to insurance company negotiations.

We run a bilingual office (hablamos Espanol), and all our cases are handled on contingency fee basis, which simply means that there are ZERO UPFRONT FEES for the duration of the processing of your claim, as we only recover our legal fees after we’ve recovered compensation on your behalf. If you would like to simply talk to one of our experienced injured factory worker attorneys at NO COST to you to learn more about the value of your case, or whether you have a valid claim, please give us a call NOW at 312-444-0214 to speak with one of us.

Common Types of Injuries Sustained by Metalworkers

Metalworkers in the fabricated metal product manufacturing industry are prone to injuries such as:

  1. Lacerations and cuts

Metalwork involves working with sharp machinery, tools and metal edges every single day. Workers have to use saws, grinders, metal shears and other power tools and because of this, they may suffer deep, jagged wounds if this equipment either malfunctions or OSHA safety regulations are not followed. In addition, metal components are usually rough before they are finished, and their edges, should they come into contact with a person’s arm, leg or body, may cause painful lacerations that may take a while to heal.

  1. Crush Injuries

Metal components as well as machinery in fabricated metal product manufacturing tend to be large, heavy and bulky, making them a crush risk should they strike an individual or fall onto them, or if someone gets stuck between them. Crush injuries can lead to internal organ damage, broken bones, compartment syndrome, the need for amputation in order to save a person’s life, and even fatalities.

  1. Burns

Due to the fact that metal has to sometimes be melted or heated to extreme temperatures in order to become malleable, metalworkers in this industry are more often than not likely to come into contact with hot metal surfaces such as molds and furnaces, putting them at risk for catastrophic burns. Many times, workers are asked to forego PPE or personal protective equipment because the factory may have too many workers and is trying to cut corners, or the belief that they don’t need them and can work with the bare minimum when it comes to working around heat and flames

  1. Respiratory Issues

Metalworking involves things like cutting and welding, as well as metal manipulation, all of which have been shown to emit various fumes, vapors, metal dusts and contaminants which can be inhaled, leading to respiratory issues such as silicosis, lung damages, COPD, the development of occupational asthma and constant coughing. Respiratory issues in this industry are mostly due to poor ventilation in factories, failure to provide workers with the necessary PPE as well as failure to adhere to daily maximum exposure limits as outlined by OSHA.

  1. Musculoskeletal Disorders

Workers in the fabricated metal product manufacturing industry have to contend with performing certain repetitive motions, working in awkward positions and postures, as well as lifting heavy loads thousands of times. Over the years, these individuals, if not provided with proper training on material handling and proper lifting, adequate rest breaks as well as PPE may develop musculoskeletal disorders such as tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and chronic back pain. Over time, these musculoskeletal disorders, if not treated in a timely manner, can lead to permanent disability which can impede on their ability to earn a living going forward, necessitating early retirement.

Identifying the Type of Metalworker Injury

Diagnosing and treating injuries sustained by metal workers in the fabricated metal product manufacturing industry starts by identifying the type of injury:

  1. For instance, those with cuts and lacerations will have an assessment of the depth, severity and length of their wound, and the physician will check for any debris or foreign objects in order to prevent the development of infections
  2. Those that suffered burns will be examined to determine the degree of the burn as well as the depth and size of the burn in order to determine the course of treatment
  3. For crush injuries, the physician will palpate the area affected in order to determine if there are any broken bones, internal organ damage, and muscle or tendon injury as well as check if there are signs of compartment syndrome
  4. If the metalworker’s limb was amputated by machinery or metal, the remaining limb will be examined so that the bone and tissue damage can be quantified in order to come up with a treatment plan.
  5. Respiratory issues may require a chest examination, listening to lung sounds and stress tests to see the remaining lung or respiratory function.
  6. Range of motion evaluation, muscle strength assessment and identification of tender or swollen areas will be carried out for those that sustained musculoskeletal disorders

Treatment and Rehabilitation of Injuries Sustained By Metalworkers

Treatment usually includes the application of immediate first aid or emergency care, the immobilization of the affected part, the administration of pain relievers such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics to prevent infections, and surgery in the event that the metalworker has suffered broken bones, amputations or lacerations. In addition, rehabilitation and physical therapy will go a long way in ensuring that you’re able to regain function, strength and flexibility as well as the prescription of assistive devices such as respiratory support equipment and prosthetics, which have been shown to improve an individual’s quality of life.

Why Hiring an Attorney for Factory Injuries is Absolutely Essential

These injuries may seem like they are cut and dry when it comes to seeking compensation due to the existence of workers’ compensation plans for injured workers. However, hiring an attorney can be beneficial in a number of ways, such as ensuring your injury is properly and comprehensively documented, reported to your employer as well as the insurance company. In addition, we help to advocate for maximum benefits in areas such as lost wages, medical treatment and disability compensation if needed.

An injured metalworker factory attorney will also help represent you in appeals and administrative hearings where necessary, and we will assist in identifying any third parties who could be held liable for your injuries such as contractors or equipment manufacturer so you can maximize your compensation, as workers’ compensation is often insufficient for most injured factory workers who more often than not suffer catastrophic injuries.

Experienced Metalworker Injury Attorneys – Call Us Today!

Lastly, we will also identify whether your employer played a part in your injuries by demonstrating their negligence, which may compound your compensation and money damages where possible. We understand that all of this information may be confusing and overwhelming, and you may just be trying to keep your head above the water when it comes to taking care of your medical bills and overall health, and it’s because of this that we’d like to invite you to give us a call NOW at 312-444-0214 to speak with one of our experienced injured factory worker lawyers in order to discover your legal options for justice and compensation. Remember, the call is 100% FREE, and there is no legal obligation. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to helping you.