Alcoa Corporation and Arconic Inc. are two of the world’s largest aluminum production and manufacturing operations. These companies employ thousands of workers across facilities that involve inherently dangerous processes like smelting, casting, rolling, and chemical treatment.
If you have been injured while working at an Alcoa or Arconic facility, you have the right to pursue compensation for the harm that you suffered.
An experienced Knoxville workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate the complex claims process, ensure that your rights are protected, and fight for the full benefits you deserve under Tennessee law
Here’s what you need to know about your legal options.
Types of Workplace Accidents Common at Manufacturing Plants
Aluminum manufacturing facilities present numerous hazards that can lead to serious workplace injuries. The combination of heavy machinery, extreme temperatures, hazardous chemicals, and constant production creates an environment where accidents can happen despite safety protocols.
Some of the most common workplace accidents include:
- Burns from molten metal contact
- Crushing injuries from heavy equipment
- Chemical exposure and inhalation
- Slip and fall accidents
- Machinery entanglement and amputations
- Electrical shock and electrocution
- Falling objects and overhead hazards
- Repetitive stress and overexertion injuries
- Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
- Forklift and other vehicle collisions
- Defective equipment failures
Your Right to Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Tennessee
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system designed to provide benefits to employees who are injured on the job. If you’re hurt while working at an Alcoa or Arconic facility in Tennessee, you are generally entitled to receive medical care, wage replacement, and other benefits regardless of who caused the accident. Workers’ comp covers most workplace injuries, from minor incidents to catastrophic harm that permanently changes your life.
Filing your claim correctly is essential to protecting your rights. Here are the critical steps you need to follow:
- Seek immediate medical attention. If you need emergency care, get it right away.
- Report your injury to your employer within 15 days. This notice must include your name, address, the time and place of the accident, the nature and cause of your injury, and your signature.
- Confirm your employer files Form C-20. Your employer has one business day to submit the First Report of Injury Form to their insurer once they are aware of your injury.
- Wait for a decision on your claim. The insurance company will investigate your claim, send you the required documents, and contact you. They will ultimately accept or deny your claim based on their findings.
When You Can File a Third-Party Lawsuit Beyond Workers’ Comp
In some situations, you can step outside the workers’ comp system and file a lawsuit against a third party whose negligence contributed to your injury. At manufacturing facilities like Alcoa and Arconic, potentially liable third parties might include:
- Equipment manufacturers who produced defective machinery
- Contractors or subcontractors whose negligence caused your injury
- Maintenance companies that failed to properly service equipment
- Chemical suppliers who provided inadequate warnings about hazardous materials
Trust The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto to Fight for Your Rights
Working at Alcoa or Arconic means facing real risks every day. Even momentary lapses in safety protocols can result in catastrophic injuries. If you’ve been hurt at a manufacturing plant, you have the right to seek compensation through workers’ comp or a third-party liability claim—and The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto will fight for you.
We have successfully represented injured industrial workers throughout Tennessee, securing compensation that reflects the true cost of these life-altering injuries. Contact us at (865) 413–3907 to discuss your situation with an attorney who will listen, investigate thoroughly, and fight for the full recovery you deserve.