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In fact, getting a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer can be the difference between getting the compensation you deserve versus not getting any compensation, so it’s in your best interest to hire a lawyer who concentrates in work injuries. When you’re hurt on the job, don’t take chances—contact a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as you can to get the ball rolling with your claim.
Types of the Most Common Workplace Injuries
When you’re hurt at work, it can happen instantaneously but change your entire life, so it’s important to act quickly. If you’re unsure if your injury will be considered eligible for benefits, the place to start is learning about some of the most common workplace injuries and comparing them to your own situation.
After all, many injuries may seem like they won’t be eligible for compensation when as a matter of fact, they are.
Some of the most common workplace injuries include:
- Struck against an object: Injuries involving an object such as a door, window, wall, etc.
- Slips and falls: Injuries caused by slipping on wet or slippery floors, uneven floors, or un-cleared walkways during wintertime.
- Caught in/compressed by: These injuries tend to take place in factories or involve heavy machinery.
- Fall to a lower level: Falling off a roof, down stairs, off a ladder, etc.
- Overexertion: Considered to be perhaps the most common workplace injuries, these involve pushing, pulling, carrying, holding, throwing, or lifting.
- Traffic incidents: Accidents that happen while using company vehicles.
- Struck by an object: Injuries caused by falling objects or objects dropped by someone else.
- Workplace assaults: Injuries in which one or more workers is assaulted.
- Repetitive motion: Injuries sustained by repeating the same motion over and over, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or back injuries.
Important Things to Know About Workers Compensation Cases
When you work with a work injury attorney, they’ll be able to talk you through the entire process so that you understand what’s going on, but it’s also advisable to learn about some of the different aspects on your own.
For instance, you should learn about what the statute of limitations is for your injury, what sort of compensation you should fight for, and what types of paperwork you’ll need to retain, such as medical bills, incident reports, and more.
The different types of compensation to fight for include lost wages, permanent injury, medical bill reimbursement, and more. For help understanding any part of this, a work injury attorney will be able to explain everything to you.
The Process of Filing a Work Injury Claim
Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you make sense of the entire claims process.
First, you’ll need to notify your employer of the incident—this should be done within seven days of the injury’s occurrence. When you seek medical care for your injury, let the medical professionals know that the injury is work-related, as you may be required to see specific doctors or visit certain facilities.
Next, the insurance carrier will open a claim for benefits after receiving reports from the doctor or employer, and if the claim is found to be compensable, the insurance carrier will then contact the employer and the injured person.
Together, an agreement will be made regarding the rate of pay that the injured person will receive while out of work. If the claim is denied, however, the worker will have the opportunity to appeal that decision.
