Dangers of working in automotive manufacturing

People who work in automotive manufacturing are open to many risks during their everyday work routine. These risks expose employees to many workplace injuries that should not be ignored or overlooked since they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The attorneys at Dayson Shalabi Burkett Law Firm help their clients navigate the workers’ compensation process.

Common BMW workplace injuries

Manufacturing workers can experience a lot of different accidents that include injuries from falling, lifting, and operating machines. Additionally, most people believe workplace injuries are limited to a specific event; they often overlook very common workplace injuries that occur from repetitive stress related to constant lifting, standing, pulling, and pushing. These injuries develop over time and can be just as devastating as an acute accident.

Here are the most common BMW workplace injuries:

  • Amputations
  • Back injuries
  • Bone fractures
  • Chemical and electrical burns
  • Crush injuries
  • Eye injuries
  • Hernias and other injuries from lifting
  • Injuries from overexertion
  • Repetitive motion injuries
  • Slip-and-fall injuries

With workplace injuries, fault doesn’t matter.

Another common misunderstanding is that workers are only entitled to compensation if the company is at fault for a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation is available to workers regardless of fault. Being injured at work is reason enough to receive benefits to include medical treatment and lost wages. If your employer and their insurance company are trying to avoid paying you or other employees for an injury that occurred at work, we can help.

What to do if you have a workplace injury

If you sustain a workplace injury while working at the BMW manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, SC, take the following steps to ensure your workers’ compensation claim has a chance.

  1. Seek Medical Attention – First and foremost, ensure you receive the medical attention you need as soon as the injury occurs or, in the case of repetitive injuries, as soon as possible. This also provides you with a diagnosis and the proof of the injury you will need to submit a workers’ compensation claim.
  2. Report Your Injury to BMW – In South Carolina, you must report your injury to your employer within 90 days of its occurrence. Be sure to follow the instructions provided by your employer regarding notification and documentation of the injury and workers’ compensation claim. If you have a repetitive trauma injury, report the injury within 90 days of first seeking medical treatment or when the injury prevents you from doing your job, whichever comes first.
  3. Gather witness statements – If possible, contact other employees or witnesses that may have observed the accident. While you are not required to have witnesses, having witnesses and other employees who can attest to the injury or circumstances that led to your injury will help your claims substantially.
  4. File your claim – In South Carolina, you must file a workers’ compensation claim within 2 years from when your injury occurred. However, there are limited exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations. Even if you are past the two-year mark, you should still consult with an attorney to determine if one of the exceptions applies to your case.
  5. Hire a workers’ compensation attorney – Even if you think you have a simple case, our experience shows that employers, insurance companies, and their attorneys will attempt to invalidate your claim by disputing everything from the dates, documentation, and details of the event. You should find an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to help protect your best interest, fight for what you deserve, and even appeal a denied claim if necessary.

If you’ve sustained a workplace injury while working at the BMW manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, SC, contact our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at the Dayson Shalabi Burkett Law Firm. Call today at 803-973-0304 for your free initial consultation!