Many workers in California spend their days on construction sites, undeveloped lots, or locations that offer no indoor plumbing or bathroom facilities. These workers will quickly remind everyone of the value of the porta-potty. It is unreasonable to expect anyone to work for a full day without easy access to some type of bathroom facility. Not only is it uncomfortable or even painful, but it can become a health hazard with lasting impact, including infections and even an increase in the potential for increased blood pressure and internal injuries.
However, while the porta-potty does offer a private facility to relieve oneself, there can be some hazards related to these essential additions to any construction site or building renovation. If you have suffered an injury in a workplace porta-potty accident, it is vital that you understand your rights as an injury victim. While you might feel that the most severe damage was to your ego as you were embarrassed or even humiliated at work, many severe injuries with life-long implications can result from an accident while using a porta-potty.
The legal team at Normandie Law Firm is here 24/7 to answer your immediate questions and provide the guidance you need to navigate the complexities of a worker’s compensation claim or even a civil lawsuit related to your injuries from the porta-potty incident. Contact our office 24/7 to begin understanding your rights to compensation for your injuries and to schedule a free consultation with a Normandie Law Firm porta-potty accident attorney.
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Common Hazards Related To A Porta-Potty
The average porta-potty base is typically less than four feet wide and deep, so the floor is less than fifteen square feet. However, the unit is also typically around seven and a half feet tall, or nearly twice as tall as wide or deep. This small footprint, combined with a height of over seven feet, makes the structure naturally unstable. So unless it is carefully placed on a very flat and stable surface, the average porta-potty can be prone to tipping or falling over when a small amount of force is applied.
Most people have seen a porta-potty lying on its side after a storm. The high wind will hit the side of the unit and tip it over in an instant, with or without a person inside. And if the unit is sitting on unstable or uneven ground, even a slight wind can knock it over and pose a significant safety risk to the person inside. But that is not the only way a porta-potty can become tipped over.
Construction sights and commercial properties are typically hectic places with dozens or even hundreds of vehicles moving around the property. With a weight of between 200 and 300 pounds, a porta-potty is no match for a vehicle or piece of heavy equipment. Even when you double the weight of the unit when it is occupied, a truck, car, or piece of equipment will easily tip, move, or run over the average porta-potty. In its wake will be damage comparable to a vehicle hitting a person standing on the street. There is no protection to prevent severe or life-threatening injuries to the occupant.
Your Rights When Injured On The Job
As a workplace injury victim in California, you have the right to make a worker’s comp claim to receive assistance with your medical bills and lost wages. All employers are legally required to provide this insurance for their employees at no cost to the workers. In addition, your employer does not have the right to deny you coverage or access to these benefits if you have been injured while doing your job. So if you have suffered injuries due to a workplace porta-potty injury, you need to contact Normandie Law Firm to learn more about your rights to use the worker’s compensation system to cover the cost of your medical bills and possibly any lost wages. Our experts will assist you in opening the claim if your employer is unwilling to help you with the process.
The Potential Benefits Offered By Worker’s Comp
The worker’s comp program in California is one of the most comprehensive in the country. It offers complete coverage of your medical bills up to $1M for injuries that occur while on the job. In addition, if you cannot return to work immediately after the injury, you could receive up to 66% of your regular weekly income to compensate for your lost wages.
In the case of a long-term disability or permanent disability from your injuries, there are options to receive long-term compensation for your loss of ability to earn an income and possible vocational training to assist in seeking a new career. The worker’s comp attorneys and the porta-potty accident attorneys at Normandie Law Firm will provide all the information and guidance you need to understand your rights as a workplace injury victim and how to secure the compensation owed to you for your injuries. Contact the office today to request a free consultation with our legal experts.
The Severe Injuries That Could Result From A Porta-Potty Accident
When a porta-potty falls over or is hit by a vehicle, the occupant can suffer far more than a bruised ego. Some of the most common injuries can include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- A concussion or other head injury
- Damage to the back, neck, or spinal cord
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Internal injuries
These are just a few of the injuries that can be caused by the fall, impact, or destruction of the porta-potty during an accident.
When Someone Else Is To Blame
When you are injured on the job, worker’s comp protects you and your employer. You benefit from your medical bills being paid and lost wages being compensated. And your employer is protected from additional civil lawsuits, as you cannot suit them when using the worker’s comp benefits. But there are also times when the case is more complicated, and others could be to blame for your injuries.
For example, if there was a structural defect in the unit, you might have reason to sue the manufacturer. Or if the incident were caused by a co-worker who thought a workplace prank would be entertaining, there could be grounds for you to file a civil lawsuit for your injuries and losses. The expert porta-potty accident attorney at Normandie Law Firm, who is handling your case, will discuss all the potential scenarios that could provide the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses due to a porta-potty injury while at work.
The Time Frame To Make A Claim
If you use the worker’s comp system, you have only 30 days from the incident date to open your claim. However, if you are filing a civil lawsuit, the time limit is two years from the date of the incident. However, it is always wise to contact Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible after an injury incident to ensure you understand your rights and can move the case forward rapidly to secure the compensation you need to pay your bills and expenses.
The Value Of A Porta-Potty Injury Claim
When filing a claim with worker’s comp, most injury victims only use the medical payment benefit and lost wages. The limit on the medical bills worker’s comp will pay is a million dollars, so you can expect all your medical expenses to be covered in most cases. Your lost wages will be based on a portion of your average week’s pay. The staff at Normandie Law Firm will help you evaluate the value of these benefits and any others you might be eligible to receive from worker’s comp.
In the case of a civil lawsuit, the value is based on the amount of your losses and expenses. For example, you can include the amount of all your medical bills, the cost of your legal representation, the value of any personal property destroyed in the incident, the total of your lost wages, and possibly an amount for your pain and suffering. The legal team at Normandie Law Firm has decades of combined experience in assisting clients in compiling the information needed to ensure they get the most robust settlement or verdict possible for the injuries and losses they sustained.
We Don’t Get Paid Until Our Client Is Paid
The staff at Normandie Law Firm focuses on the needs and best interests of our clients. We want to provide the stability and guidance needed to navigate a challenging time such as suffering a personal injury. However, we never want to add to your stress or financial hardship. So we never charge any upfront legal fees or expenses when we take your case. Instead, we only get paid after we have secured the settlement or verdict you need to move past your injuries, costs, and losses.
So if you have suffered an injury due to a workplace porta-potty incident, please get in touch with Normandie Law Firm today. Our legal staff, including porta-potty accident attorneys and worker’s comp lawyers, are here to provide the information you need to make wise choices for your future. And the consultation is free, with no obligation to hire our staff. We only want to ensure that you understand your rights and how to protect them.
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