You warned the general contractor that if he didn't properly secure the lines then it was likely things would fall. You warned him and he told you not to worry about it. Well, what you said would happen, happened. Someone on the crew was injured by a falling piece of equipment. Even if you work in a dangerous job like construction, you never expect to be injured. You have worked hundreds of jobs and put in thousands of hours. You are as comfortable on a construction site as you are at home.
If you believe that your employer is allowing a dangerous condition to continue then you may have rights. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration requires that employers provide their employees with a reasonably safe place to work. This means that your employer must take the appropriate steps to keep the job site safe.
OHSA allows you to report unsafe conditions. Additionally, if you report the condition, you are entitled to anonymity and you are protected from retaliation by your employer. This means that your employer cannot punish you for speaking, for example, by cutting your hours or firing you. Speak to an attorney regarding the circumstances of your warning and subsequent injury to understand your complete legal rights.
If your employer disregarded your warning and you were injured you may have a valid cause of action against your employer. Furthermore, the attorney can help you understand the benefits and risks of your available options. You may file a report with OHSA, pursue a workers' compensation claim or even file a lawsuit in state court. A skilled attorney may be able to give you the advice you need to decide what is best for you and your family.
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