When you suffer an injury or illness as a result of a workplace hazard, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against your employer to recover damages. While the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) can not directly help you take legal action, any evidence of wrongdoing they uncover in an investigation of your employer can be used in your compensation case.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we understand the challenges faced by injured workers. We can help you with your personal injury lawsuit or workers’ compensation claim to ensure you recover the maximum compensation available. Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation with a Boston employment and labor lawyer from our team.
How an OSHA Investigation Can Help Your Legal Case
While OSHA will not directly help you file a lawsuit against your employer, evidence of violations by your employer turned up in an OSHA investigation can be critical for building your case for compensation. If you were injured because of a hazard at your workplace, reporting the violation to OSHA can be critical.
When OSHA conducts an investigation into your employer and your workplace, they will thoroughly document any violations they uncover. An OSHA inspection report can be a powerful piece of evidence in your lawsuit.
Furthermore, you can call the OSHA investigator in your case as a witness, and they can personally explain your employer’s failure to provide a safe work environment. They can describe the hazards they observed and explain to the court how your employer failed to protect you from harm.
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Filing a Lawsuit or a Workers’ Compensation Claim
When you are hurt on the job, it is important to know what your legal options are for recovering compensation. In most cases, your only option will be to file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer’s insurer. Filing a lawsuit against your employer is only possible in cases involving negligence or intentional harm.
If you are hurt in an unforeseeable accident, you will need to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, if you were injured because of a hazard that your employer was aware of yet failed to address, you can file a lawsuit against them to recover additional compensation that would not be available through a workers’ comp claim.
If an OSHA investigation uncovers evidence of your employer’s negligence, it can help open the door to a lawsuit. An OSHA workplace health and safety claims lawyer in Boston can help you sue your employer for damages.
The Results of an OSHA Investigation Can Also Help in a Wrongful Termination Case
In addition to helping you with a personal injury lawsuit against your employer, the findings of an OSHA investigation can also help support your claim when filing a wrongful termination case related to retaliation. If you reported a hazard to OSHA and were subsequently fired, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit to recover damages and get reinstated in your job.
The law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for taking lawful actions, including reporting health and safety hazards to OSHA. If you lose your job after filing a complaint, the report from OSHA can serve as evidence that your employer fired you for reporting workplace hazards that they failed to address.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, an experienced member of our legal team can help you build a wrongful termination case against your employer and use evidence from the OSHA investigation to help you win your lawsuit.
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Take Action Quickly After Suffering an Injury on the Job
When you suffer an injury on the job, it is critical that you take action as soon as possible to recover compensation. If you were injured as a result of a workplace hazard, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
Additionally, you should reach out to OSHA quickly so they can investigate your employer and your workplace to determine if any violations occurred. Because of its legal status as a government regulatory agency, OSHA will be able to gain access during its investigation, which your employer may attempt to deny to your attorney.
In addition to helping ensure you uncover all available evidence, giving your lawyer the ability to build the strongest case possible on your behalf, getting started on your case early will also help ensure you meet all applicable deadlines. Missing deadlines in your case can result in the loss of your right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
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Reach Out to an Experienced Employment and Labor Lawyer for Help Today
When attempting to recover damages after suffering an on-the-job injury, hiring an experienced employment and labor lawyer is the best way to improve your chances of getting the money you need. Furthermore, filing a complaint with OSHA can be vital. While OSHA can directly help you sue your employer, your lawyer can use the evidence they uncover to build a strong claim.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we will coordinate with OSHA to obtain a copy of their report to use in your lawsuit. Contact us today by phone or through our website to set up a free case review, where we will review the details of your case, answer any questions, and advise you of your legal rights.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form