Anyone working in the automotive manufacturing industry faces risks of being hurt on the job. When compared with private manufacturing, research from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the automobile manufacturing industry experiences injury and illness rates that are double that of all private industries.
Workers at the Spartanburg BMW plant may suffer injuries from workplace accidents that lead to medical bills and long recovery periods. BMW previously reported an employee accident frequency rate of 3.2, which measures the number of accidents that involve at least one employee day off work compared to a total of 1 million work hours. While that number explains the impact on traditional employees, the accident rate for contractors was 7.9 in 2020.
If you or someone you know has recently been hurt in the BMW plant in Spartanburg, SC, you may be entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim. Many people suffering from BMW plant injuries have questions about the best way to proceed and may require legal counsel to fully protect their rights.
Call the Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm in Greenville now if you were injured at the South Carolina BMW plant and need assistance filing or appealing a workers’ comp claim.
Common Injuries at BMW Plants
Overexertion and repetitive bodily motion problems are some of the most common causes of reported illnesses and injuries for BMW factory workers.
Some of the most common accidents are associated with dangerous machinery, working on an assembly line, and the physically demanding activities of automobile manufacturing.
These include:
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Falls from height or being struck by something falling
- Slip and fall injuries,
- Eye injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Overexertion injuries
- Lifting injuries such as hernias
- Electrical and chemical burns
- Back injuries
- Bone fractures
Damages You Can Receive for a BMW Work Accident
Protect your right to workers’ comp by telling your employer about your accident. The insurance company handling your claim, your employer, and you may disagree on the best course of action to treat your injuries. This means that you may not get the care you need or the compensation you deserve as an injured worker.
The kinds of damages available in your case will vary but typically include things such as total disability, partial disability, payment for medical bills and treatment, and wage loss benefits.
Workers’ compensation in South Carolina is a no-fault kind of insurance, meaning you typically do not sue your employer or force them to admit their level of liability in the case. You are eligible to recover benefits for your workplace illness or injury regardless of who is at fault, except in those cases in which you were involved in behavior such as drinking on the job.
Workers are typically available to receive a maximum of two-thirds of their pre-accident weekly wages for no longer than 500 weeks for total permanent and total disability. If your injuries are classified as a partial disability, you are able to receive two-thirds of the difference between your previous wage and any wages you get when you come back to work.
If you are filing for death benefit coverage because a family member died from a BMW work accident, this death benefit covers a worker who passes away within six years of the original incident. It pays two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage for 500 weeks and for funeral costs.
These funds are paid to a worker’s dependents, the worker’s parents if no dependents exist, or the individual’s estate if the parents are deceased.
How to Report a Work Injury at a BMW Factory
As soon as possible after the incident, notify your supervisor of the incident. Make sure to get medical attention and to attend any and all doctor’s appointments set up for you related to your BMW factory injury.
You must notify your employer no later than 90 days after the original accident, but it’s far better to inform them much sooner. Verify your employer’s rules for documentation and notification and keep all copies for your records.
From that point, get witness statements if someone else saw the accident and open a workers’ comp claim. You must file your workers’ comp claim within two years from the date of the original injury and it’s far better if you report it right away.
It is strongly recommended that you also consult with a knowledgeable workers’ comp attorney. You should do this before signing any paperwork or submitting your application to put you in the best possible position to recover compensation.
What can a lawyer do after a BMW factory injury?
A knowledgeable lawyer can help you as an injured BMW worker to gather the evidence you need to open a workers’ compensation claim and will guide you through the process of applying for benefits. Working with someone who knows the common reasons for a claim denial or benefit reduction may help you avoid problems with compensation.
If you are denied disability or do not receive the appropriate approval, your work injury lawyer can help you to submit additional materials to bolster your claim.
Auto manufacturing plant injuries can be severe. It is important to make sure you follow the steps required to put yourself in the best position to recover compensation. If you or someone you know is already suffering from an injury at a BMW plant and need further support in taking the next steps, set aside time to meet with a lawyer.
Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Skilled in BMW Factory Injury Claims
If you are getting ready to file your workers’ comp claim or looking for assistance with a recent denial, contact an attorney. Our workers’ compensation lawyer in Greenville is a resource for BMW factory workers and advocates for you throughout your claim process.
Avoid unnecessary delays in your claim and protect your right to file and collect compensation for a workplace accident by communicating with a lawyer immediately.
The Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm attorneys can support you with questions related to your workers’ comp claim. We have decades of experience assisting clients with complex injury suits, and would be happy to review your case today for free.