Industrial Accident Lawyer in Gonzales

Some of America’s largest petrochemical refineries, manufacturing plants, and other heavy industrial facilities reside in Louisiana. Our state ranks second for crude oil production, third in natural gas, and boasts one of the most dynamic energy industries in the nation. In fact, if you live or work here in Gonzales, there’s a good chance that you or someone you know works in an industrial job here or elsewhere in Louisiana.

While industrial jobs are generally high-paying and good for Louisiana’s economy, they do come with a price. These jobs are risky for the hard-working men and women who have them, and often management is more concerned with their profit margin than keeping their workers safe. Everything from poor oversight and training, to outdated safety equipment or facilities, contribute to unsafe industrial working environments.

In turn, unsafe environments lead to industrial accidents, caused by negligence or incompetence and harming dozens of people. If you or a loved one has been injured in an industrial disaster, call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys at 225.888.8888 to recover the compensation you’re owed.

Most Common Industrial Jobs in Louisiana

Over 260,000 people are employed in Louisiana’s energy sector, which includes oil and gas refineries, deep-sea drilling platforms, and a panoply of other industries. The energy industry directly employs about 44,500 with six-figure salaries, and companies like ExxonMobil and Shell produce gasoline that’s shipped around the country and even exported to the world.

Louisiana is a major state for manufacturing, with over 4,000 companies employing over 175,000 workers in the state. Baton Rouge has the highest number of industrial workers, followed by Houma, Shreveport, and New Orleans.

BASF, Dow Chemical, and other chemical processing plants in Louisiana make many of the conveniences of modern life possible. The plastics and additives they make, as well as the products of other manufactures like industrial machines, metals, and food processors, form a significant sector of Louisiana’s economy.

While these are the three biggest industries, Louisiana is home to a number of others. These include businesses in food manufacturing and processing, defense, logging and lumber processing, mining, and others that bring valuable tax dollars and good jobs to the state.

However, these industrial jobs are physically demanding and sometimes dangerous. There are plenty of accidents that happen in industrial settings across Louisiana, causing injury and, in the worst cases, death.

Common Gonzales Industrial Accidents

There are a number of dangers that Louisiana industrial workers face every day. In addition to common accidents that any employee faces, employees in industrial settings are also at risk of the following:

• Chemical spills or harmful substance exposure
• Falling machinery or other heavy objects
• Machinery malfunction
• Plant explosions and fires
• Slip and fall accidents
• Strains and sprains from overexertion
• Vehicle crashes

These accidents carry a greater risk of catastrophic injury because of the heavy machinery and dangerous chemicals involved.

Types of Injuries Caused by Industrial Accidents

Many of the accidents at processing plants and other industrial sites lead to serious injuries due to the nature of the job. When the owner or operator of a plant fails to maintain a safe working environment, either by neglecting site maintenance or failing to follow workplace safety protocols, employees can suffer catastrophic injuries, including

• Crushing from machinery, falls, and crashes can cause neck and back injuries, as well as spinal cord damage. In the worst cases, the victim can be paralyzed, require ongoing medical care, and be unable to live independently.
• Fires, explosions, and caustic chemicals can cause severe burns that result in intense pain, deep tissue damage, and disfigurement.
• Equipment malfunction and other accidents can require limb amputations. Limb loss can prevent someone from ever working again, as well as cause significant psychological trauma.
• Any blow to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can result in permanent disability, changes in personality, and other problems.
• Broken bones are also common injuries in industrial accidents.
• Chemical exposure and other accidents can cause eye injuries resulting in impaired vision or even blindness. These injuries can be psychologically devastating and permanently disabling.

Were You Injured in an Industrial Accident? Call Gordon

If you or a loved one was injured in a Gonzales industrial accident, you need a lawyer who can help you get the compensation you need to move on from your injuries. Whether you’re planning on filing a workers’ compensation claim, personal injury claim, or both, or even if you don’t know what you could be eligible for, the experienced lawyers with Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys can help you figure it out.

We’ve helped hundreds of Gonzales personal injury victims recover compensation for their damages, and we can help you too. Give our office a call at 225.888.8888 for a free consultation about your case. A lawyer will be on hand to listen to your situation and get started on your claim.