Michigan employers are obligated to provide a safe working environment

Does my Michigan employer have an obligation to provide a safe working environment?

Yes, your employer has a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment. This is known as a “duty of care.” Under this duty, Michigan employers are responsible for taking reasonable steps to prevent accidents and protect the health and safety of their employees.

This obligation applies to a wide range of workplace hazards, including physical hazards (e.g. slippery floors, heavy machinery), ergonomic hazards (e.g. repetitive motions, awkward postures), and chemical hazards (e.g. toxic substances, flammable liquids).

If an employer fails to provide a safe working environment and an employee is injured as a result, the employee may be able to bring a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries.

It is important to note that the specific obligations of an employer can vary depending on the jurisdiction, type of work, and other factors. It is recommended to consult with a qualified work injury law attorney at Giroux Pappas to better understand your rights and options in the event of a workplace injury.

If I am injured on the job, can I sue my employer? When is it just a workman’s compensation claim?

In most cases in Michigan, if you are injured on the job, you cannot sue your employer. Instead, you would typically file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning that you do not have to prove that your employer was at fault in order to receive benefits.

Workers’ compensation provides benefits for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to a workplace injury, regardless of who was at fault. In exchange for these benefits, you typically give up the right to sue your employer for your injury. If you live in Michigan, you can submit a workers compensation claim on the Michigan.gov website.

However, there are some limited circumstances where you may be able to sue your employer for a workplace injury. For example, if your employer intentionally caused your injury or if a third party (e.g. manufacturer of a defective product) was responsible for your injury, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit.

It is important to consult with a workers’ compensation attorney or a personal injury attorney to better understand your rights and options in the event of a workplace injury. An attorney at Giroux Pappas can help you determine whether you should file a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit, and can guide you through the process.

I am an independent worker and was hurt on the job, can I sue?

As an independent worker, you may not be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, this does not necessarily mean that you cannot take legal action if you are injured on the job.

If your injury was caused by a third party (e.g. manufacturer of a defective product), you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against that third party.

If your injury was caused by your client or another party for whom you were working, you may be able to sue that party for a personal injury.

It is important to consult with a personal injury attorney to better understand your rights and options in the event of a workplace injury. If you call an attorney at Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys, one of them can help you determine whether you have a valid personal injury claim and can guide you through the process of bringing a lawsuit. Call Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys at (248) 270-2340 to reach our Southfield office, or check our website to see what other locations we have near you.