The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) details how to report unsafe working conditions in Georgia. You can file an official complaint through the department’s website.
Employers in Georgia have a responsibility to maintain safe working conditions for their employees. If your employer failed to comply with these laws and a hazard led to your injuries, you can take legal action to recover compensation. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file a claim or pursue compensation from a negligent third party through a personal injury lawsuit.
Filing an Official Complaint for Unsafe Working Conditions
OSHA’s Online Complaint Form allows employees to report unsafe work conditions. You cannot mail in this form. Instead, you fill it out online and complete it with an electronic signature.
The complaint form requires a few pieces of information, as well. You will need to submit the name of the company, the address, the management official, the phone number, and the type of business. You will then have to describe the occupational hazard, your position in the company, and whether you notified the employer.
This form is not for reporting emergencies. If you have experienced an emergency at your workplace, OSHA requires you to call the following toll-free numbers:
- 1-800-321-OSHA (6742)
- TTY 1-877-889-5627
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
Workers’ Compensation FAQs
My Job Isn’t Providing Guidance on my Work-Related Injury. What Steps Should I Take?Is Pain and Suffering Included in Workers’ Compensation?Will My Employer Find Out if I Hire a Lawyer?How Long Does a Workers’ Compensation (WC) Case Typically Last?What Is the Maximum TTD in Georgia?Can You Go on Vacation While on Workers’ Compensation?You Can Anonymously Report Unsafe Working Conditions
An important feature of OSHA’s Online Complain Form is that you can remain anonymous when reporting unsafe work conditions. This is often key, as employees do not want to risk their position at a company.
You also have the right to report unsafe working conditions if you are a former employee. No one should have to fear repercussions for doing the right thing, and allowing a hazardous workplace environment to continue would only endanger other employees.
If you fill out the form anonymously but still experience retaliation from your employer, such as wrongful termination, you can take legal action, as well. The Georgia Department of Labor details the employment laws and rules for the state.
Examples of Unsafe Working Conditions
Sometimes, it can be hard to spot unsafe working conditions, especially if hazards persist in your workplace. Shifts can get busy, and employees may not feel they have the time or place to address hazards with their employers. In other cases, some employers may simply fail to take action. This sort of lax culture when it comes to workplace safety is not right, though.
If you notice any of these workplace hazards, you have the right to report them:
- A lack of protective equipment for employees
- Defective equipment and machinery
- Un-insulated or exposed electrical wiring
- A lack of training protocols
- A lack of safety protocols
- Exposure to dangerous substances and toxic chemicals
- Workplace harassment and violence
It’s bad enough to have to encounter a hazard once in the workplace. When you are contending with hazards on a daily basis, accidents are bound to happen. Understanding how to report unsafe working conditions can give you an opportunity to correct the environment for both yourself and your coworkers.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
When Unsafe Working Conditions Cause a Workplace Accident
Various types of accidents can occur when hazards exist in the workplace. You may have slipped and fallen on a wet floor or fallen off of defective equipment. When you suffer an injury in the workplace, you can file a workers’ compensation claim and seek benefits. In these claims, you do not have to prove your employer negligent, either.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
What Does Workers’ Compensation Pay For?
Typically, workers’ compensation benefits pay for your medical bills and a portion of your wages. According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC), benefits usually cover two-thirds of your average weekly wages, as long as it does not exceed $725.00 per week. This is applicable if your accident occurred on or after July 1, 2022.
When Can You File a Third-Party Lawsuit in Lieu of a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Sometimes, a personal injury lawsuit proves the best approach to seek compensation for a workplace accident. If a third party—someone other than your employer—caused the accident that led to your injuries, they would be liable instead.
You could seek the following damages in a personal injury lawsuit:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills for past and ongoing care
- Reduced earning capacity
- Lost income, including benefits and bonuses
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
Other losses may also warrant compensation. A personal injury law firm can determine who is liable for your injuries and pursue legal action on your behalf.
We Can Explain How to Report Unsafe Working Conditions and Seek Damages
You deserve to rest and recuperate after unsafe working conditions led to your injuries. Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can handle your entire workers’ compensation claim or personal injury case while you focus on your health.
Call us for a free consultation.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
