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Quality legal representation can be the difference between actually getting compensation for your injuries versus not getting compensated, so don’t take any chances. If you’re injured at work, be sure to contact a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as you can so that you can get the claims process started.
The Most Common Workplace Injuries
Getting injured at work typically happens in an instant, but the effects can last a lifetime, which is why it’s important to get legal help as soon as you can to get the process of filing a claim started.
Learning about some of the most common workplace injuries can also help, as it will help you compare your situation to those—some injuries may make you think they won’t be eligible for workers’ compensation, when in reality they are.
Some of the most commonly occurring workplace injuries include:
- Struck against an object: Injuries that involve objects such as windows, doors, or walls.
- Repetitive motion: Injuries such as carpal tunnel or back injuries that are caused by repeating the same motion over and over.
- Caught in/compressed by: These injuries commonly take place in factories or manufacturing plants and involve heavy machinery.
- Fall to a lower level: Injuries from falling down stairs, off a ladder, off a roof, etc.
- Overexertion: Perhaps the most common injuries that happen at the workplace, these involve pushing, pulling, carrying, holding, lifting, or throwing.
- Slips and falls: Injuries from falling on wet or slippery floors, uneven flooring, or uncleared walkways during winter.
- Traffic incidents: Injuries that occur during accidents that involve company vehicles.
- Struck by an object: Injuries that happen from an object falling or when another person drops an object.
- Workplace assaults: Injuries sustained when one or more workers is assaulted on the job.
Important Things to Know About Workers Compensation Cases
When you’re hurt, a work injury attorney is a great asset, but there are some things you should learn on your own as well. For instance, you’ll want to be aware of the statute of limitations for your injury, what documentation you’ll need to have on hand when filing a claim (such as incident reports, medical bills, etc.), and what sort of compensation you are interested in fighting for.
Some types of compensation include lost wages, permanent injury, and medical bill reimbursement, for example. If you aren’t sure of any of these things, working with a work injury lawyer can help a great deal.
How to File a Claim in Gary, IN
Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer can make the entire process of filing a work injury claim a lot easier.
The first thing you’ll need to do is report the injury to your employer—this should be done within seven days of the injury’s occurrence. If you seek medical care for it, you’ll need to inform medical staff that the injury is work-related, because you may be required to see certain doctors or visit certain clinics that are employer-approved.
Next, the insurance carrier will open a claim for benefits, based on reports from the employer or doctors. If the claim is compensable, the insurance provider will contact the employer and the injured party.
From there, an agreement will be made about the rate of pay that the injured worker will receive while they are out of work. If the claim is rejected, the worker does have the opportunity to appeal the ruling.
