Injured After Receiving No Safety Training in Tampa: What Should I Do?
Safety training is critical for virtually all employees in Florida. Many workplace accidents in Tampa are the direct result of insufficient training, and employers should face accountability for failing to help their workers avoid accidents. If you were injured in a Tampa workplace accident after receiving zero safety training, you may be wondering about potential legal action. Can you sue your employer?
Lack of Safety Training Could Constitute an OSHA Violation
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) enforces various guidelines and regulations for safety training. These rules are extensive, and they depend on the unique nature of the workplace. For example, safety training is generally required for all workers who operate at heights. If employers provide these workers with equipment such as harnesses, they must also provide training on how to use this equipment.
The same logic holds true in many other areas. Safety equipment is only effective if workers actually know how to use it. Other requirements may be necessary for workers operating in close proximity to dangerous chemicals. Even average office workers may require safety training – especially when it comes to emergency evacuation plans in the event of a fire. If you believe your employer failed to provide you with the necessary training, you may be right – and this could constitute an OSHA violation.
Can I Sue for Lack of Safety Training in Tampa?
An accident directly caused by insufficient training could pave the way for a lawsuit. That being said, workers generally face challenges when trying to sue their own employers. The workers’ compensation system bars workers from suing their direct employers in almost all cases – and you may have to file a workers’ compensation claim instead.
That being said, gross or reckless negligence could allow workers to step outside the confines of the workers’ compensation system. If you can point to a particularly heinous safety training violation, courts may allow you to sue your employer directly. For example, your employer might have failed to inform you about the presence of dangerous chemicals – and you might have received no safety training on how to operate safely in areas with toxic fumes.
That being said, a workers’ compensation claim can still provide considerable financial support to injured workers and their families. Even if you cannot sue your employer directly, you should be able to recover compensation for missed income and medical expenses. A personal injury lawsuit provides additional compensation for non-economic damages, so it is worth exploring this possibility before reverting to a workers’ compensation claim.
Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help After a Tampa Accident?
If you have suffered a workplace accident, consider getting in touch with an experienced Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer at your earliest convenience. With help from The Franco Law Firm, you can assess your legal options in more detail during a consultation. Online research only gets you so far, so book a consultation today to get started with real action.
Sources:
osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha2254.pdf
floridasafetycouncil.org/ClassName/occupational-safety-training
