Waldorf Warehouse Injury Attorneys

Lawyers Helping Workers Who Have Been Injured While Working in Warehouses in Waldorf, MD

There are many warehouses and distribution centers that operate in and around Waldorf and across the state of Maryland. These facilities employ thousands of workers who pack, ship, store, and receive goods. Work in a warehouse can be physically demanding, and workers may be affected by hazards in the workplace. These issues can lead to serious injuries.

When a warehouse worker is hurt while on the job, workers' compensation benefits can ensure that they will receive medical care and make up some of the income lost while they are recovering or because of a disability. Some workers may encounter difficulties when filing workers' compensation claims, but an attorney can help them take steps to protect their rights. At Farmer & Klopfer, we represent warehouse workers who have been injured on the job, and we fight to ensure that they will have the resources they need to recover from the harm they have suffered.

Risks of Injuries in Warehouses

Modern warehouses are complex facilities where workers are expected to complete tasks quickly. Forklift traffic, towering shelves loaded with heavy merchandise, conveyor systems, loading dock equipment, and other factors can present hazards to workers. These factors, along with the constant pace of work and the physical demands placed on workers, can increase the risks of injuries.

Forklift Accidents

Forklifts can cause serious injuries for people who work in warehouses. Accidents related to forklifts may include:

Collisions With Forklifts

People in warehouses will often need to work in areas where forklifts are traveling. The visibility for forklift drivers may be limited because of tall shelves, narrow aisles, and blind corners. When a forklift operator drives too quickly or fails to watch for workers, they may strike a person and cause catastrophic injuries. These collisions can lead to fractures, crush injuries, internal injuries, and other forms of bodily harm.

Overturned Forklifts

Forklifts have a high center of gravity, especially when carrying heavy loads. They may tip over when drivers make turns too quickly or carry excessive loads. An operator can suffer injuries in this type of accident, or another person may be crushed under an overturned forklift.

Falling Loads

When forklift operators do not transport loads correctly, items may fall and strike workers. These accidents may cause traumatic head and brain injuries or crush injuries affecting a person's shoulders, arms, and torso.

Fall Injuries

There are multiple types of fall risks in warehouses. People who work on loading docks may fall if they misjudge the edge of a dock while carrying items or performing other tasks. A person who falls several feet to the ground below may experience fractures, spinal injuries, or head injuries. Workers may also fall from ladders, raised platforms, catwalks, or scaffolding and suffer serious injuries.

Falls may also occur because of wet floors or tripping hazards. Merchandise may be spilled across a warehouse floor, or electrical cords may stretch across walkways. In a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, a worker may experience wrist or hand fractures, knee and ankle injuries, or head and spinal cord injuries when they land on a hard concrete floor.

Falling Merchandise and Collapsing Shelves

Warehouse storage racks can hold thousands of pounds of merchandise. When merchandise falls because it was not loaded correctly, or when shelves collapse, workers may suffer catastrophic injuries.

Shelves may collapse when they are overloaded or because of damage by forklifts or other equipment. They may fall over if they are not anchored to a warehouse floor correctly. A collapsing shelf may crush workers and lead to fractures, head injuries, and other forms of harm. When items fall from shelves and strike workers, these accidents may lead to head injuries, shoulder injuries, or spinal cord injuries.

Conveyor System Injuries

Conveyor belts or rollers will move packages, goods, and materials throughout a warehouse. When workers come into contact with moving conveyors, they may suffer serious injuries. A person's limbs, clothing, or hair may become caught in rollers or belts, and they may sustain injuries that could lead to amputations.

Musculoskeletal Injuries and Repetitive Stress Injuries

In addition to injuries that may occur in accidents, warehouse workers may suffer harm because of the physical labor they perform. Heavy lifting and other forms of work can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, and repeated motions can lead to repetitive stress injuries.

Back Injuries

Workers who lift, carry, push, and pull heavy loads may experience serious back injuries. A person who tries to lift items that are too heavy can experience muscle strains, sprains, or other problems. Repeated lifting and carrying can also cause damage to tissues in the back, which can lead to chronic pain and other health issues.

Shoulder Injuries

Workers who need to reach overhead regularly or carry heavy items may experience shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff tears. These injuries may occur in accidents or because of ongoing work that requires a person to use their arms and shoulders.

Knee Injuries

Warehouse workers may need to kneel or squat to reach items close to the floor. This can place stress on the knees, leading to torn tissues, ligament injuries, or joint problems. Knee injuries can also occur in falls or other accidents.

Hand and Wrist Injuries

Workers will often need to perform repetitive motions using their hands and wrists, including scanning items and wrapping and packaging merchandise. They will need to perform these tasks quickly throughout their shifts. Ongoing use of the hands and wrists can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive stress injuries.

Foot and Lower Leg Injuries

Warehouse workers will need to remain on their feet during long shifts. When standing on hard concrete floors for hours on end, a person may develop conditions such as stress fractures in the bones in their feet and lower legs.

Contact Our Waldorf, Maryland Warehouse Injury Lawyers

At Farmer & Klopfer, our lawyers can help warehouse workers understand their options after suffering work-related injuries. We have the experience needed to help our clients achieve success when filing workers' compensation claims, and we will fight to protect their rights throughout their cases. Contact our Waldorf warehouse worker injury attorneys at 301-843-3890 to arrange a free consultation.