If someone’s failure to follow safety rules caused your accident, you may deserve compensation for your injuries. Unfortunately, not everyone follows the rules that are set out to protect you from harm. When someone violates the safety rules, others could get hurt.
Safety Rules and Accidents
Safety rules exist in many settings, such as workplaces, businesses, restaurants, construction sites, and oil fields. In some cases, workers must follow specific safety routines to protect themselves and others. For example, workers at a construction site must wear hard hats and safety vests, and they need to put out cones, tape, signs, or barriers to protect passersby. In other cases, there is a general expectation that people will act safely to avoid putting others at risk. For example, it’s a good idea for a hotel to put out a “Wet Floor” sign when someone is mopping the hallway.
When safety rules are broken, accidents happen. A worker didn’t set up a barrier around an obstacle? A pedestrian could run into it. No “Wet Floor” signs to be seen? A guest could slip and fall. Safety rules, such as those developed by OSHA for workplaces, exist for a reason – to prevent accidents and injuries. If you’re the victim of an accident due to ignored or forgotten safety rules, you may be able to recover compensation.
When Safety Rules Aren’t Followed, How Does the Law Help Victims?
In many situations, business owners owe their customers a duty to keep the premises safe or warn them of any dangerous conditions. In one of the examples above, the hotel owner needed to warn guests of a slippery floor. If you were hurt while at a business, you will need to show that the business owner either didn’t take steps to make the business reasonably safe for customers or failed to warn you of a danger, leading to your injury. Showing these facts in court could entitle you to compensation.
If you’re dealing with injuries from a workplace accident because someone didn’t follow safety protocols, you may have recourse for compensation, too (above and beyond any workers’ compensation you are due). For example, you may be able to show that the person who failed to follow safety protocols did so intentionally or recklessly. Or you may be able to show that the company failed to properly train the person in the safety rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
I ignored a safety sign and got hurt. Could I still recover?
Maybe, it will depend a lot on the facts of your case. If a safety sign was inadequate to warn people of the actual dangers, someone who ignored it might have a case. A possible example is if the sign said “Wet Floor,” but actually, there was a large hole in the floor that wasn’t visible.
My workplace is not safe because people don’t follow the rules. Isn’t this an accident waiting to happen?
It’s difficult to feel safe when those around you don’t respect rules put into place for everyone’s sake. While our firm handles cases for clients who have already been injured, we do suggest that you seek solutions if you don’t feel safe at work. For example, you might look into OSHA’s safety regulations for workplaces and how to enforce them.
How can I get advice after my accident? I need help showing that safety rules weren’t followed.
Please give our firm a call if you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone who didn’t follow safety rules. We can help you develop evidence to support your case and hold the people responsible for your injuries accountable in court. Our lawyers give Texans straightforward advice about their personal injury cases.
“No Better Friend” “No Worse Enemy” in Injury Accident Cases
Have you suffered a serious injury because someone failed to follow the safety rules? Do you need help recovering the compensation that you deserve? At Allen & Nunnally, we pride ourselves on maintaining a high level of preparation and discipline, which stems from our time in the Marines. Our success on behalf of injured clients shows why hardworking Texans trust us to fight for them. To schedule a consultation with one of our Houston-based attorneys, email us at info@allen-nunnally.com, use our convenient Contact Form, or call (713) 955-2217.