Work Accidents

Work Accident Lawyers

Mistakes happen in the workplace, just as they do in other parts of life. But when an avoidable mistake in the workplace causes death or a lifelong disability, that explanation just isn’t enough. State and federal laws strictly regulate workplace safety, and workplaces should have their own safety rules and procedures. But all too often, managers and owners interested in saving a few dollars ignore those rules or find ways around them. Other times, workers just don’t follow them, out of carelessness or bad communication.

Some of the most common serious workplace accidents include:

Falls and impacts from falling objects
Automobile and equipment accidents
Body parts caught in heavy machinery
Exposure to toxic substances, including long-term exposure that builds up as well as sudden and severe exposure
Explosions and fires
Electrocution
Long-term ergonomic damage
Violent crime

These on-the-job injuries can kill their victims or leave them with amputations, chronic pain, multiple fractures, spinal injuries or brain damage. These are catastrophic injuries that rob victims of essential parts of their lives — often including their careers. Even when workers’ compensation insurance works the way it should, these injuries can be extremely expensive to treat and live with. When there’s no workers’ compensation or insurers don’t play fair, it just adds insult to literal injury. If you were injured at work through no fault of your own, you may file a workplace accident lawsuit to get compensation for costs caused by the accident as well as your injury, pain and suffering, any permanent disability and more.

Panish Shea & Boyle’s experience with workplace injuries includes Griggs v. Caterpillar, et al., in which partner Brian Panish won a $58 million verdict for a construction worker who was burned over 75% of his body when a defective piece of equipment he was operating caught fire. In another case, Beltran v. Chadwick Helmuth, partner Kevin Boyle helped win $13.55 million for two Army Chief Warrant Officers who sustained disabling spinal injuries when a defective helicopter they were maintaining crashed from 800 feet. In Doe v. Oil Refinery, the firm won a $6.2 million settlement for workers caught under a collapsing refinery roof.

Panish Shea & Boyle Los Angeles personal injury attorneys are nationally recognized for excellence in consumer protection and personal injury law. Our attorneys have won several record-setting verdicts and settlements in addition to those listed above, including the largest jury verdict in U.S. history in Anderson v. General Motors. Our partners frequently take leadership roles in professional organizations and in complex national litigation. Partners have been repeatedly awarded or nominated for honors such as Rising Stars or Most Influential Attorneys, and they frequently write and speak to other attorneys about good trial practice or legal specialties.

Work Accident Verdicts & Settlements

Griggs v. Caterpillar, et al. $58,137,361
Joseph B. Griggs sued West-Pac Industries after the Catepillar scraper he was operating burst into flames resulting in third-degree burns over 75% of his body. Attorney Brian Panish argued that the fire was due to a defective mechanical product in the hydraulic system of the construction vehicle. A jury agreed, awarding Griggs $58,137,361.

California On the Job Injury Lawyer Disclaimer: The work accident or other legal information presented at this site should not be considered formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Please note that you are not considered a client until you have signed a retainer agreement and your case has been accepted by us.