When on the job, it is important to have the proper equipment for the working conditions. If employers do not provide safety equipment to workers or implement safety policies, it is possible for those workers to suffer workplace injuries. Unfortunately, any number of injuries suffered on the job could be serious.
It was recently reported that an appeal for citations issued against Home Depot after a work-related accident in California did not go in the company’s favor. Apparently, Home Depot was cited in 2015 after a worker suffered a serious foot injury in 2014. Two pallet jacks collided, which led to the worker’s injuries. Cal/OSHA looked into the incident and other similar events and determined that many of the injuries could have been prevented if the workers had been given or been required to wear protective footwear.
Home Depot appealed the resulting citations, but the appeals court recently upheld the original decision. It was noted that the company’s policies at the time of the incidents regarding footwear were not adequate enough to protect workers. The report also indicated that foot injuries resulting from incidents involving industrial trucks are the leading cause of foot amputations and serious foot injuries among workers in the state.
Workplace injuries can happen under any circumstances, and when employers do not do enough to keep workers safe, it can be even more hazardous to go into work. If California workers suffer serious foot injuries or other harm while on the job, they may want to look into workers’ compensation. Because it can be difficult to handle related paperwork while recovering from injuries, parties may want to consider enlisting the help of experienced attorneys.
