Tag Archives: workplace accident

Ways an Accident Attorney Can Help You Claim Workers’ Compensation

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Statistics show workplace accidents and injuries are common, though traumatic, occurrences. Even if they may seem more common in some fields, the risk of getting injured cuts across professional divides. Worse yet, in the case of a work-related injury, the physical pain and mental anguish are compounded by the financial burden (doctors’ bills and lost wages) and the legal hassle the worker is faced with. At times like this, the help of a workplace accidents lawyer may prove invaluable.

In theory, if you sustained an injury on the job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation. However, given the intricacies of the legal system, you may need an experienced accident attorney to guide you through the process and help you get your claim.

Here is what you should know about workers’ compensation and the ways in which a specialized workplace accidents lawyer can help you file a successful claim.

What is workers’ compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a special insurance system that pays benefits to workers who sustain work-related injuries. The insurance is supposed to cover medical bills, damages in case of permanent disability and loss of salaries or wages.

What types of injuries are covered?

The most obvious type is a physical injury resulting from a workplace accident. For instance, a construction worker might end up with severe fractures after falling from a considerable height because of some security mishap. Though manual laborers might seem more prone to such injuries, an office worker is as likely to sustain a direct injury.

A more subtle type of injury is a work-related illness, which can range from carpal tunnel syndrome to various forms of cancer caused by exposure to toxic materials on the job.

In the latter case, it may be more difficult to get compensation, because the employee has to provide evidence that the illness was caused by factors in the workplace.

Who is eligible for workers’ compensation?

Although workers’ compensation covers various types of injuries, certain criteria should be met when filing a claim for compensation. Employers should provide clear information concerning the rights and benefits of employees, including who is eligible for workers’ compensation. However, if in doubt about eligibility, you might start by requesting the respective information from the Human Resources department.

The next step would be consulting a specialized accident attorney who can analyze your case and provide advice as to the best course of action.

Ways a workplace accidents lawyer can help

A seasoned workplace accidents lawyer can assess the fair compensation you are entitled to, which may include compensation for lost wages, and help steer your course through the legal hassle.

A competent accidents lawyer will begin by gathering all of the necessary information and evidence concerning the accident, including photos of the site, names and contacts of witnesses, medical records, etc. Lawyers generally work together with doctors in such cases. However, the worker should also keep a careful record of injuries, interactions with the company’s HR or legal department, X-rays, or a journal of symptoms.

Based on this body of evidence, the lawyer can finally file the claim for compensation. More often than not, such claims are settled before going to court, as most companies prefer to avoid lawsuits. However, if the matter is taken to the court, the accident attorney should defend his client’s interests in court as well, ensuring he/she gets fair compensation for the injuries sustained.

How to Put Your Life Back on Track after a Workplace Accident with Help from an Accident Lawyer

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Overcoming the devastating impact of a workplace accident is never easy. In some cases, such a dramatic incident disrupts the normal balance of an entire family. Quite often, work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities trigger unimaginable pain and suffering, but also considerable unpredictable financial loss in the form of medical bills, lost wages and even serious legal complications that a worker could never cope with on his/her own, without the expert guidance ensured by a competent accident lawyer.

Facts about workplace accidents that you should know

  • In theory, one would imagine that if he/she were to get hurt on the job, it would be easy to file a lawsuit and obtain the right compensation. Unfortunately, it is never that simple and most people who have been in this position agree with the fact that navigating the legal system without any support from a workplace accident attorney is a real hassle.
  • According to a recent report issued by United States Department of Labor, more than 4,900 workers lost their lives on the job only in 2011. This means that 13 people died every day, while trying to complete their regular assignments. The same source indicates that most of the deaths have been recorded in the construction sector (17.6%). Most of the victims fall from a considerable height, are struck by a sharp object, are electrocuted or get caught between/in the heavy machinery that they are usually operating. These are the most frequent causes of death, generically entitled “the fatal 4” of the construction sector. While it is true that a few simple measures of precaution, like wearing the standard PPE (personal protection equipment) can easily minimize the odds of getting hurt on the job, it’s no secret that most work-related accidents can’t be prevented and generate pain, confusion and chaos for millions of American families every single year.

How can an attorney help?

For people involved in work-related accidents, it is extremely important to benefit from the unconditional support of a competent, experienced workplace accident attorney. A lawyer will offer them a free, no-obligation consultation, in order to discover and analyze the unique particularities of their case. No two workplace accidents are alike; this is why the victim will need professional assistance to obtain maximum compensation for their injuries. First of all, the attorney will help the worker gather important documents (hospital bills, pictures reflecting the extent of injury, medical records and so on). The benefits that you are entitled to, as a victim of a work-related accident, are usually ensured by your insurance company. In most cases, you won’t be able to sue your employer; even so, you might still be able to file a lawsuit against a third party, like for instance the manufacturing company producing the faulty equipment responsible for your injuries.

Unfortunately, insurance companies will often try to provide a minimum amount of money which barely covers your medical bills. However, a skilled accident lawyer could easily help you recover after a work-place accident, by enabling you to receive the proper compensations, even if the insurance company initially declines your claim, for one reason or another.