Personal Injuries Involving Journeyman Pipefitters
Journeyman pipefitters play an essential role in the industrial field. Pipefitters assemble, install, and maintain pipes that connect a number of cooling, heating, and processing systems. These types of systems exist in residential properties and commercial properties, as well as gas plants, chemical plants, oil refineries, and more. With the varied tasks that pipefitters perform, and their wide range of work sites, they face many dangers.
Unfortunately, personal injuries involving journeyman pipefitters are not uncommon. When pipefitters in the Houston, TX, area are injured at work, personal injury attorney Michael Shelton can help them explore their right to financial compensation for losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Common Causes of Pipefitter Injuries
Just like other workers in the industrial and construction field, pipefitters face multiple hazards when on a jobsite. While there are safety standards in place to minimize the risk of a workplace injury, they still occur at an alarming rate. Some of the most common causes of pipefitter injuries among our Houston clients include:
- Falls - Pipefitters often work from significant heights. A fall off a ladder or scaffolding can cause catastrophic injuries or death. These types of accidents can happen to any journeyman, but they are especially likely when proper safety equipment, like harnesses, railings, or webbing, is missing.
- Equipment accidents - Pipefitters work with heavy equipment and machinery that involves multiple moving parts and, often, heat or sharp blades. If a piece of machinery or equipment malfunctions, or if it is not operated properly, it can easily lead to an injury.
- Falling objects - The types of work sites where a pipefitter is needed often contain machinery, tools, construction equipment, and other heavy objects. If objects fall, they can cause a number of injuries, including crushing injuries.
- Hazardous material exposure - Pipefitters often work with hazardous materials, including flammable materials and toxic chemicals. Inhaling fumes from hazardous materials or coming into direct contact with these types of materials can result in serious injuries.
Damages in Pipefitter Accidents
Pipefitter accidents can result in a wide range of personal injuries, including:
- Musculoskeletal injuries (injuries of the muscles, joints, tendons, and other soft tissues)
- Broken bones
- Neck or back injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Respiratory problems
- Eye injury and/or vision loss
- Burns
In addition to the physical injuries that pipefitter accidents may cause, there are also emotional and financial damages to consider. These types of accidents are likely to put journeymen out of work, either temporarily or permanently. Job loss can create emotional stress and financial hardship. Other potential sources of financial loss include medical expenses and the cost of rehabilitation and/or therapy.
Can I File a Lawsuit?
If an accident takes place at work, workers’ compensation insurance should cover losses such as lost wages and medical expenses. However, a workers’ compensation claim may be denied, or insurance companies may limit the benefits provided to accident victims. Personal injury attorney Michael Shelton helps his Houston clients hold workers’ compensation insurers accountable so that they provide the maximum benefits that are due. If necessary, we can also pursue a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for financial damages, as well as pain and suffering.
Contact Michael Shelton
To find out your best course of legal action following a pipefitter injury, we invite you to discuss the details of your accident with attorney Michael Shelton. To schedule a personal consultation, send us a message online or call (713) 807-0700.
