As an employee, it can be incredibly challenging to do your job when your employer expects you to handle the responsibilities of other workers. Unfortunately, many underestimate just how dangerous staff shortages can be. If you have sustained injuries because of your employer’s failure to hire enough staff, you may be unaware as to whether or not you can receive compensation. The following blog explores how these shortages can increase the risk of an accident and how a FELA lawyer can help you file a claim to get the compensation you deserve.
How Do Staff Shortages Lead to Injuries?
When there aren’t enough workers to safely manage a job site, injuries can run rampant. One of the most common reasons is that workers are forced to do the jobs of multiple people, which can lead to exhaustion. Unfortunately, workers who are overly tired are at an increased risk of making poor decisions, which can lead to severe injuries for others. Additionally, when there are fewer workers, it can cause employees to feel rushed. As such, they may not prioritize ensuring safety measures as they feel pressure from their employer to get tasks done as quickly as possible.
Additionally, when workers are stretched thin, there is often an imbalance between workers and supervisors. As such, supervisors may not be around to help ensure that workers are adhering to safety measures or assisting in the prevention of accidents. When workers are on a strict schedule but cannot find a supervisor for assistance, they may make unsafe decisions that impact the health and safety of others.
Finally, when companies aren’t employing the correct number of workers, it means that those with less experience and expertise are tasked with jobs usually completely by more qualified and trained workers. As such, their inexperience, especially when operating heavy machinery, can lead to severe accidents for themselves or others on the job site.
Can I File a FELA Claim if I’m Hurt?
If you are hurt because of staff shortages, it’s important to understand your rights. Generally, you can pursue a Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) claim to recover the compensation for damages you’ve sustained.
For a FELA claim to be successful, you must be able to prove that your employer was at least partially negligent and that negligence led to the injuries you endured. As such, if you can prove that you were overworked, forced to ignore safety measures, or the railroad assigned someone inexperienced for a task and you were injured, you can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Proving that staff shortages are the cause of the injuries you endured can be incredibly complex. As such, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced FELA attorney with Doran & Murphy to represent you during these matters. Filing a claim is a confusing matter, so obtaining legal counsel is critical. If you’ve suffered, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about these matters.
