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Common Workplace Injuries
Getting hurt at work happens all the time, and it can occur in an instant. If you don’t work with a workers compensation attorney, it can be difficult to determine if your injury will qualify for compensation benefits.
One way to start out, though, is by comparing your injury to some of the most common workplace injuries. Once you know about the variety of common workplace injuries, you can have a better idea of what to do about yours.
You may even think that your injury isn’t eligible for filing a claim for benefits, when in reality, it is. Some of the most common workplace injuries include:
- Traffic accidents: Injuries occurring while in a company vehicle or traveling for work.
- Fall to a lower level: Injuries from falling off of a ladder or roof, or down stairs.
- Caught in/compressed by: Injuries that are typically associated with industrial settings, involving heavy machinery.
- Workplace assault: When one or more workers is assaulted while at work.
- Struck by object: When a worker is hit by a workplace object such as a wall, door, window, or other object.
- Repetitive motion: Injuries sustained from repetitive motions. These can include muscle strain or carpal tunnel.
- Overexertion: Injuries caused by pushing, pulling, holding, carrying, lifting, or throwing. These types of injuries are often considered to be the most common.
- Slip and fall: Falls on slippery floors, uneven floors, or uncleared pathways, such as on ice or snow during winter.
What You Need to Know About Filing a Work Injury Claim
When you’re ready to start the claim process, a work injury lawyer can be highly beneficial. You’ll need to know about things like the statute of limitations for your claim, what paperwork you will need to present (incident reports and medical records, for example), and what type of compensation you are aiming to receive (including lost wages, medical reimbursement, or permanent injury).
If you have any questions about your claim, a work injury lawyer in Park Forest will be able to help.
The Process of Filing a Claim
Filing a workers’ compensation case can be complex, so it’s essential to have a work injury lawyer helping you.
The first step in any case involves reporting the accident to your employer. You need to do this as soon as possible—ideally as soon as the injury occurs, but you generally have seven days to do so. If you seek medical attention, you will need to inform the medical professionals that your injury is work-related, as there may be specific doctors or facilities you must seek treatment from.
Next, the insurance carrier will open a claim for benefits. After they receive reports from the doctor or employer, they will determine whether the claim is compensable.
If it is determined to be compensable, they will notify the injured party as well as the employer, to determine the rate of pay the injured person will receive while out of work. If, for some reason, the claim is denied, the injured worker will still have the option to dispute that with a hearing.
About Vasilatos Injury Law
Vasilatos Injury Law is proud to serve Park Forest clients, as well as residents in the Chicago Metropolitan area and all across Chicago.
We are dedicated to working hard to provide you with the legal representation you need. Our areas of concentration are workers’ compensation, personal injury, and Social Security disability, and we provide home, hospital, and phone consultations to help accommodate all potential clients.
We offer flexible scheduling, and we are easily accessible via public transportation. However, if you can’t make it to us, we’ll come to you.
When you need reliable workers’ compensation help in the 60466 area, you can count on the professional work injury attorneys at Vasilatos Injury Law. We’ll provide you with the help and guidance you need to get back to your life as soon as possible.
