OSHA Violation Attorneys: Fighting for Safer Workplaces and Injured Workers

At Morgan & Morgan, we believe every worker has the right to a safe and healthy workplace. Unfortunately, some employers prioritize profits over people, cutting corners on safety and exposing workers to preventable hazards. 

When these employers violate safety regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the consequences can be life-altering or even fatal.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to unsafe working conditions, our OSHA violation attorneys are here to help. We fight to hold negligent employers accountable, secure compensation for injured workers, and ensure your voice is heard. 

With over $25 billion recovered for our clients and a reputation built on fighting For the People, we’re ready to take on even the toughest workplace safety cases.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.

What Is OSHA?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Labor, established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Its mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

OSHA covers most private-sector employers and their employees across all 50 states. The agency develops and enforces regulations on everything from construction site safety to chemical exposure, fall protection, machine guarding, and more. When employers fail to meet these standards, OSHA can issue citations, fines, or even shut down unsafe operations.

But even more importantly, when OSHA regulations are violated and a worker gets hurt, it opens the door to legal action, especially when employers willfully ignore safety requirements.

Common OSHA Violations That Lead to Workplace Injuries

Each year, OSHA releases a list of the top ten most cited violations. These violations are often tied to the most serious and common workplace injuries, including falls, electrocutions, and machinery accidents. Here are some of the most frequent offenders:

Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501)

Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Employers are required to provide guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems in areas where workers could fall from a height. Failure to implement these protections is a serious violation.

Hazard Communication (1910.1200)

Employers must inform and train employees about the hazardous chemicals they may be exposed to in the workplace. This includes proper labeling, safety data sheets, and training. When employers fail to communicate these risks, workers can suffer serious chemical burns, respiratory problems, and other injuries.

Scaffolding (1926.451)

Improperly constructed or maintained scaffolds can collapse, leading to devastating falls. OSHA has detailed requirements on how scaffolds must be built, secured, and accessed.

Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)

Lockout/tagout procedures prevent machinery from starting up unexpectedly during maintenance. Employers that ignore these procedures put workers at risk of amputations, crush injuries, and electrocution.

Respiratory Protection (1910.134)

In workplaces where employees are exposed to harmful dust, fumes, or gases, employers must provide adequate respiratory protection. Failing to do so can lead to chronic respiratory diseases or even death.

Ladders (1926.1053)

Ladders that are damaged, improperly used, or not secured correctly are another frequent source of falls and injuries.

Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)

Forklifts and similar machinery require proper maintenance and operator training. OSHA violations in this category often lead to struck-by or crushing injuries.

Machine Guarding (1910.212)

Machines with moving parts must be guarded to prevent workers from getting caught or cut. Improper guarding frequently causes amputations and other serious injuries.

Eye and Face Protection (1926.102)

When workers are exposed to flying particles, molten metal, or hazardous chemicals, employers must provide protective eyewear and face shields.

Electrical – Wiring Methods (1910.305)

Improper wiring or failure to ground electrical equipment poses electrocution and fire risks.

These violations are often the root cause of serious and preventable injuries.

How OSHA Violations Affect Workers

When an employer ignores OSHA regulations, it puts workers’ lives at risk. Here are just a few of the ways OSHA violations can harm employees:

• Catastrophic Injuries: Falls, burns, and crush injuries can leave workers permanently disabled.
• Chronic Illness: Exposure to toxic chemicals or poor air quality can lead to long-term respiratory conditions, cancers, or neurological damage.
• Lost Income: Injured workers often face weeks, months, or even years out of work, losing vital income needed to support themselves and their families.
• Emotional Trauma: Serious injuries can take a psychological toll, leading to depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
• Wrongful Death: In the most tragic cases, OSHA violations lead to preventable fatalities.

At Morgan & Morgan, we understand how devastating these consequences can be. That’s why we’re committed to holding employers accountable when their negligence harms the people who keep their businesses running.

What Can an OSHA Violation Attorney Do?

When you work with an OSHA violation attorney at Morgan & Morgan, you’re hiring a team of investigators, legal experts, and advocates who will fight tirelessly on your behalf. Here’s how we help:

Investigate the Violation

We’ll gather evidence of the unsafe working conditions, including OSHA inspection reports, eyewitness statements, internal safety records, and more. We also work with workplace safety experts to identify where and how your employer failed to meet regulatory requirements.

Determine Liability

In many cases, workers’ compensation may be available regardless of fault. However, if your injury resulted from a willful OSHA violation, you may be able to file a third-party claim for additional damages. We’ll determine who is liable: your employer, a contractor, a product manufacturer, or all of the above.

Maximize Compensation

We fight to get you full and fair compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Future care and rehabilitation
• Disability
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death damages (in fatal cases)
  
   

Advocate for Workplace Safety

Beyond your individual case, our work helps to create pressure on employers to follow OSHA standards and prioritize worker safety. When corporations see that violating safety laws has real consequences, they’re more likely to take their responsibilities seriously.

Can I File a Lawsuit If My Employer Violated OSHA?

Yes, and potentially more than one. While OSHA itself does not provide for private lawsuits under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, violations can support civil claims, including:

• Workers’ Compensation Claims: Most injured workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of who was at fault. These benefits cover medical treatment, a portion of lost wages, and disability.
• Personal Injury Lawsuits: If a third party (like a subcontractor or equipment manufacturer) contributed to your injury, you may be able to sue for damages beyond what workers’ comp provides.
• Wrongful Death Claims: If a loved one died as a result of unsafe work conditions, surviving family members may be eligible to recover compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.

In some states, if an employer willfully violates OSHA rules or intentionally creates hazardous conditions, exceptions may exist that allow you to sue your employer directly.

What to Do if You Suspect an OSHA Violation

If you believe your workplace is unsafe or that an OSHA regulation is being violated, take the following steps:

• Document Everything: Take photos, make notes, and collect evidence.
• Report the Violation to OSHA: You can file a complaint online, by mail, or by phone.
• Seek Medical Attention: If you've been injured, see a doctor immediately and follow their advice.
• Consult an Attorney: Contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation. We’ll review your situation and explain your legal options.
  
   

Why Choose Morgan & Morgan?

With more than 1,000 attorneys and offices nationwide, Morgan & Morgan is one of the largest and most successful injury law firms in America. We have the resources, experience, and passion to take on big corporations, insurance companies, and negligent employers and win.

We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Plus, we’ve recovered over $25 billion for our clients and earned the trust of thousands of workers who needed someone in their corner.

Unlike many law firms, we aren’t afraid to go to court. Our attorneys prepare every case as if it will go to trial, giving you the strongest possible position at the negotiating table or in front of a jury.

If you’ve been injured on the job and suspect that an OSHA violation played a role, don’t wait. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve and holding your employer accountable.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.