A Proven Advocate For Injured Meatpacking Workers
For people who have never been inside a meatpacking plant, it can be difficult to imagine what happens inside. Although many people may be okay without knowing the intimate details about how animals are slaughtered and packaged, it’s critical knowledge for a Minnesota attorney who is representing injured meatpacking workers.
At Noack Law Office, we have an insider’s understanding of what happens in meatpacking plants. Our family members worked there, and we routinely visited the plants where our clients were injured. We don’t have to imagine how our clients were injured. We’ve seen the working conditions for ourselves, and we’ve represented workers from many of the major meatpacking plants in Minnesota, including:
- JBS in Worthington
- Quality Pork
- Hormel
- Jennie-O in Willmar and Sauk Centre
The Working Conditions In A Meatpacking Plant
Meatpacking plants are the most dangerous places to work, according to Human Rights Watch. Workers have to confront countless hazards every day on the job. Far too often, their employers cut corners to make more profits, leaving workers at greater risk of harm.
We handle the full gamut of injuries suffered in meatpacking plants, including:
- Slip-and-fall injuries: Anyone who has walked through a meatpacking plant knows how slippery the floors are. Even with meticulous cleaning procedures, the best plants would still have slippery floors. Unfortunately, many plants do not have meticulous cleaning processes, and workers know they could easily fall with one missed step. Falls can lead to serious injuries like hip fractures, sprains, back injuries and head injuries.
- Lifting injuries: Heavy lifting is part of the job for many meatpacking workers. Repeated lifting – especially without the help of machinery or equipment – can lead to back and knee injuries, among others. Even a single incident of lifting a heavy carcass without adequate support or proper techniques can cause significant injury.
- Cuts and lacerations: Working with sharp tools and equipment on a daily basis is another source of potential injury. A single slip of a blade could lead to serious lacerations, nerve damage and permanent disfigurement.
- Repetitive stress injuries: Repeated movements take a toll on the body over time, straining soft tissues and ligaments. Repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome can develop slowly.
- Machinery-related injuries: The machinery involved in meatpacking is extremely powerful and dangerous. Lack of safety measures or training can result in catastrophic, life-threatening accidents such as dismemberment. Those who survive these tragic accidents may be left with debilitating injuries such as amputations, crushed bones and paralysis.
- Exposure to toxic substances: Chemicals used for cleaning and sanitizing equipment can cause burns or respiratory problems if proper safety measures are not followed.
- Hearing loss: The loud environment in meatpacking plants can lead to noise-induced hearing loss over time without proper ear protection.
Federal laws establish strict safety regulations designed to reduce the risk of these kinds of accidents and injuries. When a meatpacking employer fails to follow these safety standards, injured employees can seek compensation. Our lawyer is very familiar with the federal regulations established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and how they apply in hazardous work environments like meatpacking plants.
Do Not Wait To Seek Legal Assistance
If you have been injured while working in the meatpacking industry, it may be incredibly serious. Some injuries are life-changing. Examples could include amputation injuries, spinal cord injuries or brain injuries. But even if you’ve only suffered minor injuries, like cuts and lacerations, you need to know what steps to take next.
It’s important not to put this off. You may deserve workers’ comp benefits, but Minnesota law mandates that you cannot start such a legal case more than six years after the accident takes place. On top of that, your employer is supposed to write up a report about the incident and submit it to the Department of Labor and Industry. Once your employer has done this and the commissioner has the letter, then you only have three years from that date to start your lawsuit.
In other words, you could have a completely valid case after significant injuries, but you may not be able to seek compensation if you simply don’t act quickly enough.
What Type Of Benefits Do You Deserve?
Workers’ compensation can, among other benefits, cover a portion of your lost wages and any medical bills directly related to the workplace injury. If they are, then the workers’ comp insurance should pay for things like a trip to the ER, surgery, physical rehabilitation, hospital stays, expensive medication and much more. Depending on the severity of the injury, you could be looking at tens of thousands of dollars in medical costs.
When it comes to lost wages, workers’ comp in Minnesota provides two-thirds of your standard wage. You may still lose wages overall if you spend a significant amount of time out of work, but receiving this two-thirds payment can help you make ends meet while you recover. It’s important to work with a skilled legal team at this time.
Minnesota Lawyer Fighting For Injured Factory Workers
If you were injured in a meatpacking plant, it’s important to contact an attorney who can help protect your right to compensation. Although many people think their jobs will be in jeopardy if their employers learn they are working with attorneys, the opposite is typically true. Working with a lawyer can help ensure your employer doesn’t retaliate when you file a claim.
Learn more about the representation we offer by scheduling your free initial consultation. We can be reached online or by calling 952-467-8481.
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