One of the most dangerous tasks that may be assigned to a worker involves having to spend time in a confined space, such as a farm silo, storage tank, or manhole. The main characteristic of a confined space in a work situation is it has limited options for entering and exiting. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets forth strict guidelines for maintaining safety in these situations. Unfortunately, sometimes the company or an employee does not comply. Sometimes, even when everything seems to have been done correctly, an accident still occurs. On occasion, a company or its insurer may dispute an employee’s claim for Workers Compensation in Vermont for an injury that occurred in a confined space.
These workspaces are especially risky because they pose a significant possibility of becoming trapped. If a cave-in occurs or the space fills with liquid, grain, or another material, the worker is unable to breathe or escape. Even if something this dramatic does not happen, something may occur that causes a decrease in the oxygen supply. The employee may become disoriented and unaware that anything is wrong, but the lack of oxygen could lead to a loss of consciousness and a fatal incident.
Confined spaces are supposed to be approached with a team of at least two individuals, with at least one standing guard outside of the space and ready to act immediately if something goes wrong. That can prevent the worst-case scenario. Nevertheless, an injury may still occur, in which case the employee needs to rely on Workers Compensation in Vermont.
If the company or its insurer that provides benefits disputes the claim, a law firm such as McVeigh Skiff LLP can be helpful. Another reason to hire a lawyer is if a third party was involved that could be partially responsible for the accident. Employees generally cannot file a lawsuit against an employer. Instead, workers compensation is intended to pay for medical expenses, ongoing therapy, and lost wages. However, in some cases, another entity can be sued. For example, if the equipment was faulty due to a flawed manufacturing process, the company that built that equipment may be subject to a lawsuit. You can visit here for more information.
