What are Common Causes of Workplace Injuries?
Regardless of where you work, your profession or the industry you belong to, you face certain risks while on the job. For instance, despite working in a typical office space, you face the risk of suffering from certain illnesses such as carpal tunnel syndrome or experiencing other issues like workplace violence. Alternatively, you may work in an industry that is well-known for its dangers and risks like construction.
Our professional Alabama work injury lawyers handle workplace accidents claims involving:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Most jobs and industries put employees in and around numerous types of automobiles like trains, construction vehicles and equipment, commercial trucks, delivery vans, cars, and many others. If you sustain any injuries due to a workplace motor vehicle accident, you may have multiple options to explore.
Machinery Accidents
You may work with dangerous equipment or machinery in your workplace. If you work with any form of special machinery or equipment, it’s imperative that you get proper training on proper use, repair, and maintenance. If any person in your workplace lacks the relevant knowledge to operate the machines and equipment in and around, you face the risk of sustaining serious injuries such as being crushed, entangled or worse.
Construction Accidents
Whether you work in a large-scale commercial construction or residential construction, you are definitely at risk of being injured. You work at heights, lift heavy loads, handle potentially hazardous materials, deal with power tools and equipment, work around moving equipment, and complete other tasks in a potentially risky environment. If other people in your workplace are not careful, you may get injured.
Farm Accidents
Alabama is also famous for its thriving farming industry. Although farming has become highly technological, there are still many tasks that are done manually. While working on a farm, you may find yourself in and around dangerous machines, large farm equipment, motor vehicles, and other equipment. If you are injured while working on a farm, it’s very important that you seek legal help from the work injury attorneys at The Vance Law Firm. This is because most workers in this industry are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance and this makes them more vulnerable to being denied rightful compensation.
Industrial Accidents
We regularly handle workplace accidents in industries within and around Montgomery. Unfortunately, industrial accidents are usually the worst forms of workplace accidents we encounter as they include cases such as exposure to hazardous material, explosions, and others. These accidents may cause disability, disfigurement, and even death. If you have been or a person you know was killed in an industrial accident in Alabama, do not hesitate to contact us for legal help with justice and compensation.
What are Common Injuries Caused at Work?
Currently, we represent employees suffering from numerous types of work injuries and occupational illnesses. Some of the most common types of work-related injuries and health conditions we deal with include:
- Hearing and vision loss
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome
- Gunshot wounds
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Nerve damage and paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and Neck injuries, like herniated discs
- Concussions and moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Bone fractures
- Muscle or tendon strains
- Ligament sprains
- Contusions, abrasions, and Lacerations.
Regardless of the type or degree of your work injury or medical condition, you should talk to one of our attorneys in order to know your rights. Depending on the nature of your case, you may have the right to seek compensation via a 3rd party liability claim or request workers’ compensation benefits. In either scenario, the type and degree of work injury or medical condition that prevents you from working effectively are considered when determining the amount of compensation you will get. Our attorneys have a long-standing relationship with healthcare providers in the area that is key in proving the authenticity of your disability, medical condition or work injuries for higher chances of compensation.
What Should You Do After Being Injured at Work?
If you sustain any form of injury in an accident at your place of work, the first step you should take is to seek medical assistance. Whether you think you need medical attention or not, you should always put your safety and health first.
After seeking proper medical assistance, you should proceed to inform your employer of the accident and the injuries you sustained. If it was a major accident that involved multiple individuals, your employer may already be aware of your injuries. However, it’s always prudent to inform your manager or supervisor in person, and then follow up with written communication. If you wish to pursue 3rd party liability compensation or workers’ compensation benefits, your employer needs to know about the accident and the injuries you sustained.
Who Is Liable For Workplace Accidents?
When you get injured while on the job, it’s paramount that you talk with our professional work injuries attorneys to find out who is to blame for your injuries and who is liable to compensate you for your injuries.
Employer Liability
When another party or individual like a manager, supervisor or co-worker who is employed by the same company causes the accident that is responsible for your injuries, then your employer is liable. Based on the circumstances under which the accident occurred, your employer may choose to compensate you using either employees’ compensation insurance or any other relevant insurance cover. If you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, you may be unable to sue your employer for your injuries. However, if you don’t have workers’ compensation benefits, you may be able to sue your employer and get compensation.
3rd Party Liability
Individuals who are not employed by your company may also cause workplace accidents. For instance, you may be injured by an employee of another company or subcontractor who is working on the same site. You may also be injured by a service provider or vendor who is contracted by your employer. Alternatively, a retailer or manufacturer may have sold defective materials or equipment to your company caused by the accident that injured you. Another increasingly common case is where disgruntled employees cause commotion or violence in your workplace leading to an accident. All these individuals are parties that are not employed by your company. Such cases usually translate to 3rd party liability claims. Regardless of whether you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, you may have the right to sue the 3rd party responsible for your injuries to get compensation.
Is a 3rd Party Liability Claim the Same as Workers’ Compensation?
When considering your options after being injured at work, it’s important that you understand the difference between a 3rd party liability claim and a workers’ compensation claim.
Workers’ compensation is insurance coverage that is bought by an employer and covers medical expenses and partial earnings for employees who suffer workplace injuries or occupational illnesses while on the job. A workers’ compensation claim is not a lawsuit. It’s simply an insurance claim. You and your employer are supposed to request your policy provider to compensate you through set administrative processes.
A 3rd party claim is a personal injury lawsuit that’s filed against the person or party responsible for your injuries. With this claim, you are required to sue one or more defendants. You also need an attorney who will represent you in court and handle various aspects of the suit such as case discovery, trial preparation, and settlement negotiation.
Filing A 3rd Party Liability Claim
If you talk to one of our work injury lawyers and it’s decided that you qualify for a 3rd party liability claim, then the next step is filing the lawsuit and pursuing the case in court. However, a crucial factor you will need to consider is how much time you have to pursue a claim for compensation.
In Alabama, 3rd party claims involving workplace accidents must be filed within 2 years from the date of the accident. So, you only have 2 years from the day you were injured to file a lawsuit.
In the case of an occupational illness or medical condition, you have 2 years from the date you were diagnosed by a doctor. However, these cases are not always limited by this time-frame. So, if you suffered a medical condition or illness due to working in a specific job or environment, contact one of our work injury attorneys right away!
What Compensation Can I Get for a Work Injury?
Where there is proof that a 3rd party, or a party other than your employer, is responsible for your work injuries, the Alabama workers’ compensation lawyers at The Vance Law Firm are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. We will do our best to ensure that you are fully compensated for:
- Loss of Quality of Life
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain
- Loss of earning potential
- Medical costs
Have You Been Pressured To Go Back To Work?
Some of the issues that we assist our workers’ compensation clients with include:
Return to Work
If your employer wants you to return to work and you do not believe you have recovered fully, you should first speak with an attorney to discuss your options so that you do not return to work too soon and cause further injury to yourself!
Second Opinions
Although you will initially meet with a doctor who is approved by your employer, there are certain workers’ compensation rules that allow you to get a second opinion.
Third-Party Claims
To make sure that you receive all of the compensation you are eligible for, we carefully examine whether there are potential third-party claims in your case.
Subrogation
If your employer tells you that you are required to repay their workers’ compensation fund for the benefits you received, we can help you.
Medical Record Disputes
We have experience resolving issues where what your doctor told you is different from what appears in your medical records.
All of our services are backed by The V Guarantee — we work hard to get you every dollar that you deserve and will not charge you a fee unless we obtain a recovery for you.
Contact an Alabama Work Injury Lawyer Today
We will fight for you and help you understand your workers’ compensation rights, schedule a free initial consultation with our Alabama work injury lawyers today. Contact The Vance Law Firm, by calling 334-333-3333 or by filling out our online contact form.
