Who This Page Is For
This page is for workers who have been seriously injured at an industrial worksite, and for family members of workers who have been killed or catastrophically injured. It explains the general legal framework for industrial accident claims. It is not legal advice and does not apply to every situation.
Common Causes of Industrial Accidents
Industrial accidents occur across many different types of facility and involve a wide range of causes.
- Defective or poorly maintained machinery and equipment
- Chemical spills, toxic gas releases, and exposure to hazardous substances
- Falls from height — platforms, scaffolding, loading bays, rooftops
- Explosions, fires, and pressure failures at plants and refineries
- Being struck by moving vehicles, forklifts, or industrial equipment
- Crush injuries from machinery or collapsing structures
- Electrical faults and electrocution
- Failure to follow OSHA safety requirements
- Inadequate safety training or personal protective equipment
Injuries Commonly Involved
Industrial accidents can cause injuries ranging from serious to catastrophic.
- Fractures, crush injuries, and traumatic amputations
- Burns from explosions, fires, chemicals, or electrical contact
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Hearing loss from industrial noise or explosion
- Respiratory disease from chemical or particulate exposure
- Disfigurement
- Wrongful death
OSHA and Employer Safety Duties
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers have a general duty to provide a workplace free from recognised hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm. OSHA also sets specific standards for industrial workplaces covering machinery guarding, chemical handling, fall protection, electrical safety, and many other areas.
A breach of OSHA requirements does not automatically create legal liability, but OSHA citations and investigation reports can be important evidence in an industrial accident claim.
Industrial Accident Statistics
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), there were 5,486 fatal work injuries in the United States in 2022. The leading event categories for fatal work injuries include transportation incidents, falls, slips and trips, contact with objects and equipment, and exposure to harmful substances or environments.
The BLS reports that private industry workers experienced approximately 2.8 million nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in 2022. Manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation sectors account for a disproportionate share of serious workplace injuries. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, News Release USDL-23-2291 (December 2023) and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary (2022).
How an Attorney Can Help
An industrial accident attorney can investigate what happened, identify who may bear legal responsibility, advise on the available routes under your state's law, and help preserve evidence before it is lost.
Industrial accident cases can be complex. They may involve multiple defendants, expert witnesses, OSHA records, engineering analysis, and detailed documentation of long-term injuries. Understanding the difference between workers' compensation and a third-party lawsuit is an important first step. Read our guide on what to do after an industrial accident and what evidence matters most.
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