Employers have a duty to their workers. They’re expected to provide employees with the resources needed for the job and to pay on time and in full. Employers are also expected to provide a secure environment for their employees. Insufficient security can cause significant harm, ranging from slip-and-fall accidents to more severe incidents like assaults or thefts.
At Flaxman Law Group, we’ve worked with many injured employees who have been harmed due to no fault of their own. If you’ve been injured in the workplace in Hollywood or any Southern Florida community, contact our father-son attorney team to find out whether you have a workers’ compensation claim.
What Is Inadequate Security in the Workplace?
Employers across the country are mandated by law to maintain a safe workplace under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). This includes the implementation of proper security measures to protect employees from foreseeable harm.
Despite laws and regulations, however, not all workplaces are designed to be safe. Common instances of inadequate security include:
- Inadequate Lighting. Poorly lit working areas and parking lots make it easier for accidents or even criminal activity to occur.
- Faulty Security Systems. While places of business are not required by law to have surveillance cameras, alarms, and access control measures, these features may be considered important in high-crime areas or in workplaces where employees work late or alone. Employers are expected to make sure these systems work.
- Negligent Security Personnel. If a company employs security personnel, their negligence or lack of training can result in a failure to respond appropriately to threats or criminal activities.
- Poorly Maintained Premises. When doors and windows are broken or poorly secured, it puts employees at risk by making it easier for thieves and other unwanted visitors to enter the business.
- Lack of Emergency Preparedness. All workplaces should have proper emergency procedures in place, including evacuation plans, fire safety plans, and communication strategies. Insufficient emergency preparedness can lead to increased risks during critical situations.
- Lack of Warnings. If there is a sudden increase in crime in the location where a business is located, it can easily affect employees who may be targeted while at work or when leaving or arriving for their jobs. If an employer doesn’t warn employees about local incidents or doesn’t increase security, employees can be more vulnerable.
What Happens if Inadequate Security Leads to a Workplace Injury in Hollywood?
If you work in Hollywood or anywhere in Florida and your employer fails to provide a safe environment, you may have options if you’re injured as a result. In most cases, you’re covered by workers’ compensation, which offers you benefits. If you qualify and successfully apply for benefits, you will receive coverage of your medical costs and wage loss benefits, which cover part of your average weekly wages.
Depending on your situation, you may also have an additional personal injury claim against your employer. You must be able to prove liability, which is why you may want to work an experienced workplace injury claims attorney in Hollywood.
An experienced lawyer will gather evidence that your employer could reasonably foresee the potential for harm and failed to take reasonable action. Even if you can prove this, you may not always have a claim. The best way to find out for sure is to speak to an attorney. You can do so at no cost by contacting Flaxman Law Group. Our father-son attorney team have represented thousands of injured people across South Florida and we have offices in Miami, Homestead, and Hollywood to serve the entire community.
You can reach us at 866-352-9626 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation with a Hollywood workplace injury claims attorney.