Workers in New Jersey and elsewhere around the country have the right to the proper training and equipment for safely carrying out their jobs. Employers are generally obligated to take other reasonable steps to ensure worker safety on the job. Despite these efforts, workers still get in accidents that sometimes cause injuries. In some cases, it may not be possible to prove who was at fault.
There are some ways that a worker may be able to establish that he or she was not at fault for causing an accident. First, it may be possible to consult the accident book. Employers should record every accident that takes place, the nature of any injuries that resulted and what was done immediately after the incident. Business owners should also maintain training records to make sure that their employees know how to safely do their jobs.
Requiring someone to do a job for which he or she hasn’t been properly trained may expose an employer to liability. Additionally, employers may create risk assessment forms or similar documents when trying to determine what type of hazards a worker may face while doing a particular job. If an accident happened that led to a severe injury, it will likely be discussed during a safety meeting. Injured workers may request copies of the meeting minutes.
Someone who gets injured in a workplace accident may experience chronic pain or other ongoing health issues, which may keep him or her out of work for weeks, months or even permanently. Injured workers may file claims to receive workers’ compensation benefitsthat may help them pay for medical bills and other related expenses. This compensation may also cover a portion of a person’s salary while he or she is out of work.
