Articles Posted in Workers’ Compensation

A worker using a grinderWorkplace accidents are among the leading causes of accidental injury in the United States. Additionally, while many people associate workplace injuries with industrial jobs or those that require physical labor, the reality is that anyone can be involved in a workplace accident. Anyone who has been injured in an accident should call an Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible.

Whether you developed carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of too much typing or you slipped and fell in a warehouse, people who are hurt at work are typically entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. That said, workers’ compensation insurers will do everything they can to minimize your benefits or deny your claim entirely. For this reason, you should take the following steps to protect your rights after a workplace accident.

Report the Accident to Your Employer

A modern office conference roomThe Worker’s Compensation system comes out of the historical situation where workers had difficulty successfully suing their employers for workplace injuries. It was a compromise that required employers to carry insurance for injuries to their workers and, in return, limited the ability of employees to sue for on-the-job injuries.

But, there are still times where a worksite injury allows for a lawsuit to recover compensation beyond the medical expenses and lost wages covered by Worker’s Comp.

Injured by a Defective Product

A busy construction siteThousands of people are injured at work every year. Despite how common workplace injuries are, many people are confused about their options and where to turn for help. Below, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers answer some of the most commonly asked questions about workplace accidents.

Where do Workplace Accidents Occur?

Workplace accidents can happen anywhere. Of course, some jobs are more dangerous than others, but even office workers or retail employees can be seriously injured on the job.

Three people having a meeting in an officeMany people might not think they qualify for workers’ compensation and that workers’ comp is for only people with dangerous jobs, like construction workers, commercial fishermen, or other high-risk occupations. Office workers probably don’t think too much about workers’ comp. Can you get workers’ compensation benefits for paper cuts? An Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer can answer this question and make sure that you get any benefits to which you are entitled.

The fact is, though, that almost anyone with a job qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits if they are injured on the job.  And that is the primary requirement for receiving worker’s compensation benefits – that you be injured during the course of your employment. There are certain conditions, but nothing in worker’s compensation law requirements that you be engaged in a particular kind of work. The program is employment-based, with no regard for what that employment entails.

Almost All Jobs Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation

A construction siteWorkplace accidents injure thousands of people each year. In most instances, injured workers are entitled to benefits through Georgia’s workers’ compensation program. The good thing about workers’ compensation is that you can obtain these benefits regardless of whose fault an accident was. In return for guaranteed benefits, injured employees are typically barred from suing after a workplace accident.

Unfortunately, this often results in uncompensated losses, as workers’ compensation does not provide benefits for non-economic losses like pain and suffering or lost quality of life – damages that are typically available in a personal injury claim.

There are some situations, however, in which injured workers can file a personal injury claim after a work-related accident or incident resulting in injury. Some of the most common are listed below. For more information or to discuss the specifics of your case, call us today to speak with an Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer.

A construction siteAccording to a survey released in November of last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that were over 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries in 2018. The good news is that this number is the same as in 2017, and the annual number of workplace injuries has been in decline over the last several years. However, 2.8 million is still a lot of injuries. More importantly, the total number of injuries doesn’t matter if you’re the one who is injured and unable to work. 

Why OSHA Standards Are Important

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is charged with promulgating laws and regulations designed to keep our workforce safe. Unfortunately, many employers put their workers at risk by failing to keep up with OSHA standards or intentionally choosing to put profits over their employee’s safety. While OSHA standards cannot prevent every accident, the protections and training that they mandate are important. Failing to comply with OSHA standards can often lead to an accident and serious injury. 

a forklift operator in a warehouseIt goes without saying that some jobs are more dangerous than others — particularly construction jobs and jobs that involve dangerous equipment and machinery. However, injuries could also occur while working in an office or almost any other work environment.

If you have been injured while working on the job and while working within the scope of your employment, you might be entitled to pursue various benefits for workers’ compensation from your employer. Work injuries can not only bring about high medical bills, but also pain, suffering, and inconvenience. In some instances, the work injury is so serious that the worker is forced to miss significant time from work — and in some cases, change professions altogether.

The Georgia work injury lawyers at Slappey & Sadd, LLC understand the inconvenience often

a welder weldingInjuries at work can be a double-edged sword – not only are you in pain and suffering, but you’re also unable to work. If you have been injured on the job, you may be overwhelmed with questions. The first question that you may be asking is whether you qualify for workers’ compensation if you’ve never had to file a claim before. 

If you have questions, the Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys at Slappey & Sadd can help – call us at 404-255-6677 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation about your case. 

Is Your Employer Required to Carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

A construction siteIf you’ve been injured on the job, you’re going through a lot, and the absolute last thing you need is to have your workers’ compensation claim denied, delayed, or otherwise complicated. While workers’ compensation insurance is in place to cover employees like you who’ve been injured, this does not mean that every employer is on the up and up in these matters. The fact is that when compensation kicks in, employers often see an uptick in premiums, and some will go to unscrupulous measures to avoid this additional expense. Further, the insurance company itself is motivated by profits and can implement its own workarounds. If you’ve been injured on the job, consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in the Atlanta area.

Just Getting Started: Denying the Injury Occurred on the Job

Your employer may choose to deny that you were injured on the job in the first place, or the insurance company may question the claim from the outset. In other words, your workers’ compensation claim may be an uphill battle from the very beginning. If you are injured on the job, the following should be your first order of business:

A black van with read end damageThousands of Georgians drive as part of their jobs every day – public transit drivers, delivery drivers, and many others whose jobs require countless hours on the road. Employers go to great lengths to encourage safety, but unfortunately, accidents can and do still happen. If you have been injured in a car accident at work, it’s important to understand your options. 

The personal injury attorneys at Slappey & Sadd work with injured people in the Atlanta area and across the state of Georgia. We can help you understand your options and get the compensation you need to put your life back together. If you’re injured and overwhelmed, give us a call at 888-474-9616 or send us an email to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys. 

Do You Qualify for Workers’ Compensation?

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