Iowa Factory Accident Lawyer

Factory work has a relatively high rate of injuries among employees. That’s due in part to the hazardous machines employees work with regularly, but it’s also due to the nature of the work itself. Repeatedly performing the same strenuous task often leads to serious injuries.

You’ll more than likely be eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits through your employer’s work comp insurance policy, but being eligible doesn’t mean you’ll always get what you deserve. It can help to work with an experienced Iowa factory accident lawyer at Pothitakis Law Firm, PC to ensure you are fully compensated for your losses.

What is a Factory?

A factory is a facility or building where goods are manufactured or processed. It's a place where raw materials or components are transformed into finished products through various industrial processes. Factories can vary widely in size, complexity, and the types of products they produce.

Here are some common types of factories:

• Textile Factory: These produce textiles and fabrics from raw materials like cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers.
• Food Processing Plant: Facilities where raw food materials are processed and transformed into consumable products, such as canned goods, frozen foods, or baked items.
• Automobile Factory: These facilities assemble vehicles, using various components like engines, chassis, electronics, and more to manufacture cars, trucks, or motorcycles.
• Chemical Plant: These produce various chemical compounds and substances through different chemical processes, including petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals.
• Electronic Manufacturing Plant: Facilities specialized in assembling electronic components and devices like computers, smartphones, or consumer electronics.
• Steel Mill: These factories produce steel by refining iron ore into molten metal and shaping it into various forms like sheets, rods, or beams.
• Paper Mill: Facilities where wood pulp or recycled paper is processed to create different types of paper products.
• Brewery or Distillery: These produce alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, spirits, or other fermented drinks.
• Assembly Plant: Factories where various components are put together to create finished products, like furniture, appliances, or machinery.
• Plastic Manufacturing Plant: Facilities that produce plastic products using processes like injection molding, extrusion, or blow molding.

These factories represent just a few examples of the diverse range of manufacturing facilities that exist across different industries. Each type of factory employs specific machinery, techniques, and processes tailored to its particular manufacturing requirements.

Common Factory Incidents in Iowa

A factory accident refers to an unexpected event or incident that occurs within a factory setting, resulting in harm, injury, damage, or even fatalities to workers, equipment, or the environment. These accidents can happen due to various reasons, including human error, mechanical failures, improper maintenance, or unsafe working conditions.

Here are some common types of factory accidents:

• Slips, Trips, and Falls: These are among the most common accidents in factories. They can occur due to wet floors, cluttered walkways, inadequate lighting, or uneven surfaces.
• Machinery Accidents: Injuries can result from working with heavy machinery, such as entanglement in moving parts, crush injuries, or getting caught in equipment.
• Fires and Explosions: Factories often house flammable materials or work with machinery that generates heat. Fires and explosions can occur due to electrical faults, chemical reactions, or improper handling of combustible materials.
• Falling Objects: Objects or materials stored at heights or lifted by cranes can fall, causing injuries to workers below.
• Chemical Spills or Exposure: Accidental spills of hazardous chemicals or exposure to toxic substances can lead to chemical burns, respiratory issues, or other health complications.
• Overexertion and Musculoskeletal Injuries: Repetitive tasks, lifting heavy objects, or working in awkward positions can lead to strains, sprains, or other musculoskeletal injuries.
• Electrical Accidents: Contact with live wires, faulty equipment, or improper use of electrical tools can cause electric shocks or electrocution.
• Confined Space Accidents: Workers may face dangers while working in confined spaces due to poor ventilation, exposure to hazardous gases, or being trapped in tight spaces.
• Transportation Accidents: Forklifts, trucks, or other vehicles used within the factory can lead to accidents, collisions, or injuries if not operated safely.
• Expensive Material and Property Damage: Mishandling of expensive equipment or raw materials can lead to significant financial losses for the factory.
• Struck-By Accidents: These occur when a worker is struck by an object, such as tools, equipment, or moving machinery. This can happen due to items falling from shelves, being hit by swinging equipment, or being struck by vehicles.
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Prolonged exposure to loud machinery or equipment without proper hearing protection can lead to permanent hearing damage or loss.
• Exposure to Harmful Radiation: Some factories work with radiation-emitting equipment or materials, which can pose risks if proper safety measures and shielding are not in place.

Common Factory Accident Injuries

It is not uncommon for factory workers to sustain critical injuries while performing the duties of their jobs. Some of the accidents and injuries that most frequently affect Iowa factory workers include the following:

• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Amputations
• Exposure to asbestos
• Deafness
• Respiratory diseases
• Burns
• Death

These types of injuries and accidents can sometimes be prevented through appropriate training on the use of the equipment and the following of strict safety standards. Others are more difficult to avoid, such as those sustained through repetitive motions.

In any case, being injured while at work should never put the financial security of your family in jeopardy. That’s why workers’ compensation benefits can be crucial to your continued survival.

Filing for Workers’ Comp Benefits After Your Iowa Factory Accident

As soon as you are medically able, you should notify your employer (if he or she hasn’t already been made aware) of your injury. Make sure to get it in writing, as a failure to notify your employer of a work injury within ninety days can render you ineligible for workers comp benefits in most policies.

The benefits you receive are designed to only cover two main areas: the medical expenses incurred due to your work injury and the income you are losing by being temporarily or permanently unable to work in your current position.

You are probably wondering how much of your income you’ll still be able to collect while you’re out of work because of an Iowa factory accident. This amount will depend heavily on how severe your injury is. For instance, the loss of a limb may mean that you can receive 80 percent of your income (the maximum allowed). Keep in mind, however, that there are limitations to this supplemental income.

You will likely be able to collect benefits until you are medically cleared to return to work—or indefinitely if you are considered permanently disabled due to your injuries. You may be able to continue to receive benefits at a lower rate and return to work if you must work in a lesser position that can more easily accommodate your injuries.

Differences Between Work Comp and Personal Injury Claims

In some situations, injured workers consider filing a personal injury claim instead of a workers’ comp claim after an Iowa factory accident. Usually, work comp will cover all workplace injuries, regardless of who caused them.

But if, for example, your employer doesn’t carry work comp insurance, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. There are several other situations in which filing a personal injury claim may be an option.

Why consider a personal injury claim? Sometimes, it’s the only way to get full compensation. In other cases, you may deserve compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, which work comp benefits will not cover. Keep in mind that, to file a successful personal injury claim, you will have to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries.

Your Iowa factory accident lawyer can help you determine which type of claim is best for your unique situation.

Consult with an Iowa Factory Accident Attorney

The assistance of an experienced lawyer at Pothitakis Law Firm, PC can mean the difference between failure and thriving after your factory accident.

Let us investigate your case and ensure that you are able to receive the monetary benefits you deserve. You can schedule a free claim evaluation with an Iowa factory accident lawyer today by giving us a call at (319) 754-6400 or filling out the contact form we have provided on this page.