After suffering from an injury at work, you may be doubtful about how you can recover compensation for the damages you have incurred. An accident at work could lead to physical injuries and related medical bills.
Other damages include pain, suffering, and salary loss. There may be a couple options for obtaining compensation in this type of situation.
You can seek workers’ compensation benefits or file a legal complaint against your employer, or another responsible party who caused the accident at the workplace. The best course of action in this type of scenario is to consult a legal professional to learn more about how you can receive compensation.
Workers injured on the job should file a workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible after the injury to seek financial support and payment of medical and rehabilitation expenses until they can get back on their feet.
Seeking legal help can reduce the likelihood of being denied benefits or help you file an appeal if you have already been denied to ensure you get the benefits you need.
- Vehicle accidents
Lawyers often deal with vehicle-related accidents. For example, a long-haul truck driver might fall asleep due to the pressure of meeting delivery deadlines while driving thousands of miles across the country. Vehicles can cause severe damage and injury, especially when they occur within areas where many people work, such as forklift accidents that occur in warehouses.
Other examples of vehicle accidents while working might include food delivery drivers, bus drivers, and traveling salespeople. The bottomline is that when you are involved in a motor vehicle accident in the course of employment, you may be entitled to compensation from your employer either through workers’ compensation insurance or a lawsuit.
2. Slips, trips, and falls
Slips, trips, and falls are the most common causes of workplace injuries. If you slip or trip at work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, and a workers’ injury lawyer can help you get the maximum benefit.
3. Falls from Heights
Falls can occur from scaffolding at construction sites, ladders while painting a house, or from rooftops and other unprotected workplace areas. Multiple different types of falls occur in the workplace. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 200,000 people are injured by falls at work each year.
Falling from heights at the workplace is very common. It can happen if a person uses poorly maintained stairs, climbs telephone poles, or due to ice and other hazardous weather conditions. This type of fall can cause terrible injuries that can occur in the blink of an eye.
4. Being held or pressed by a machine
These types of Workplace accidents are common where heavy machinery is used. Lack of training, carelessness, and insufficient machine maintenance are just some factors that can cause these injuries.
5. Struck by an object
These accidents typically occur when an item falls off a shelf, or someone on a higher-level fall. Helmets can help prevent some injuries, but these incidents can still be severe.
6. Electric shock
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, hundreds of people die each year from electrical accidents. Those fortunate enough to survive these accidents may experience severe, life-changing injuries and burns. Electrical shock can occur from exposed wires, unsecured power sources with inadequate warning signs, or plain old mother nature.
7. Small Truck and Van Accidents
Some people own their own utility vehicles that are used while engaged in employment activities. If you operate a truck or van as part of your employment, a legal professional can help you recover your losses after a severe accident. Losses are not limited to your medical expenses and lost income, but could also include the value of your damaged vehicle.
8. Large truck accident (18 wheels and tractor-trailer)
If you drive an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, or other large commercial truck, a severe accident can put your career in jeopardy. An experienced attorney can help you seek maximum compensation and benefits for your truck accident so that you can make a full recovery as soon as possible.
9. Accidents with hand tools and power tools
When working with hand and power tools, it is easy to make mistakes with severe consequences. Fortunately, workers’ compensation covers hand and power tool accidents, and you can successfully file a claim.
10. Lifting accident
Weightlifting is the leading cause of work-related back pain. A worker does not need to lift excessively heavy objects to endure painful injuries. Office workers, warehouse workers, delivery drivers, and other employees are often injured on the job.
Those who hire legal professionals to help them file for workers’ compensation have a greater possibility of being approved for benefits and securing financial resources to help them through a complete and thorough recovery.
11. Construction work accident
One of the most dangerous places in the country to work is in construction sites. Construction workers face various injury risks. Fortunately, many people have access to workers’ compensation.
If you have been injured at a construction site or while performing construction-type activities, you can consult to help assess your legal options.
Although these are some of the most common workplace accidents, they are by no means the only accidents for which you can seek fair compensation. Burns and various other injuries such as falling objects, accident cuts, and collisions with doors and co-workers, and all different types of injuries may also justify a claim.
Should you speak to a legal professional?
If the injury has occurred while working, you should speak to an attorney. In short, if you do not fully protect your rights, you could lose too much. You have the right to a clear understanding of your situation and should not be forced to accept less than you deserve.
It is illegal for employers to retaliate against employees who claim their rights for work-related injuries or illnesses. Depending on how the accident occurred, you may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
If you are dealing with an injury on the job, do not delay in getting legal advice and call a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer right away.