In recent data released by OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, there were reported almost 5 million nonfatal workplace illnesses and injuries and more than 5,000 fatal work injuries. The primary causes of work-related injuries include fires and explosions, transportation accidents, slips and falls, electrical accidents, toxic chemicals and other environmental hazards, machinery-related accidents and traumas from heavy objects. If such an accident was caused by the actions or negligence of another party or by defective equipment, you may have grounds for a personal injury suit.

Workers in construction and manufacturing are not the only ones who are vulnerable to work-related accidents. Office employees are subject to injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries, slips and falls, and transportation accidents during work-related travel. You might also receive injuries from a defective piece of office equipment just as serious as those from defective products on an assembly line or at a construction site.

Personal Injury Suits vs. Workers' Compensation

Workplace injury cases are complicated by the fact that in most cases, an employee injured while in the course of his or her employment may not sue the employer. Damages are limited to workers' compensation, which typically awards much less than the injured party would be likely to recover in a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are certain circumstances in which a worker may bring charges in court.

If an employer knew, or should have known, that dangerous conditions were present at the workplace, an injured employee may be able to sue the employer directly. If an injury resulted from a piece of defective machinery or equipment, everyone involved in the design, manufacture, sale, and installation of the defective item might be liable for damages. An attorney experienced in handling work-related accidents can tell you whether you have a viable case. Consult an attorney promptly so that evidence can be collected before it disappears, and also because the statute of limitations for workplace injuries is relatively short.