Baton Rouge Industrial Accidents Lawyers

Industrial Accidents

State Law, which may adopt standards from federal regulations such as OSHA, determines the liability of the owner or operator of an industrial plant for worker injuries or death.

Complicating proof of liability for many industrial accidents is the presence of subcontractors on the work site whose conduct may have contributed to the accident.  In addition, outside engineers or vessel or unit manufacturers may have unsafely designed or built processes or equipment, which may also be involved in the accident.  And, unsafe work practices or the negligence of co-workers is many times a contributing cause.

Worker’s compensation laws, while providing medical care and a portion of wages lost, or a small death benefit, in no way address the full measure of damage done to workers or their families as a result of most industrial accidents. Unfortunately, most workers’ compensation laws limit the worker’s rights to bring a lawsuit for full compensation provided by general Personal Injury Damages Law. An experienced attorney may still be able to obtain compensation, either through legal exceptions to the limitations or from parties who may share responsibility and which are not protected by the workers’ compensation laws.

Experience Matters:  One of our attorneys, who reviews and is involved in all industrial accidents, was an engineer working in refinery operations for one of the world’s largest chemical and oil refining companies – ExxonMobil.  We employ safety engineers as well as engineers from nearly every engineering field to present expert testimony to prove liability for an industrial accident.  This proof is complicated and expensive to develop, sometimes requiring laboratory or field-testing.  Court orders must be obtained immediately after an accident to secure evidence.  Having an attorney who has education, training and work experience not only in the law but also in industrial work methods and processes provides an advantage - the ability to cross examine engineering and operations witnesses testifying for an industrial company defendant without needing anyone to interpret what is being said.