Workplace accidents are more common than you may realize. In fact, the National Safety Council (NSC) reports that an employee is injured at work every seven seconds. While workplace accidents vary in seriousness, about 104 million production days were lost in 2017 as the result of an injury.
Workplace accidents can happen without warning and leave you hurt, in pain, and potentially facing an overwhelming amount of medical expenses. While workers’ compensation is meant to cover your losses, it may not be enough in some cases. Employees sometimes also receive unfair treatment from their employer or insurance company and are denied benefits altogether, despite qualifying for them.
If you were injured in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. Contact Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. to discuss your legal options. We offer a free case review for employees who need help with their workers’ compensation claims. You can speak with a member of our team at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. by calling (201) 585-9111 today. Our Englewood Cliffs workers’ compensation lawyers are ready to help.
Common Workplace Accidents That May Entitle You to Workers’ Compensation
The NSC dictates that three workplace injury events commonly cause employees to miss work. They are:
- Overexertion: Overexertion often occurs as a result of working in extremely hot conditions. Construction workers are particularly susceptible to overexertion during the summer months. That said, it can happen in any industry, especially when lifting or lowering heavy objects.
- Coming into contact with equipment: Events like being caught in between objects or equipment, struck by an object, or caught in a collapsing structure account for 26 percent of all workplace injuries.
- Slips, trips, and falls: Falling accidents can cause serious injuries, whether the employee falls a short or long distance. These account for 25.8 percent of all workplace injuries.
Types of Injuries That Can Occur Because of Workplace Accidents
There are many different types of injuries that can occur in the workplace as a result of an accident. Some of these injuries include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of hospitalizations from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Though TBIs range in seriousness, they are a major cause of death and disability in the United States. In severe cases, the employee may experience changes in personality and impaired cognitive function.
Back Pain
According to the Mayo Clinic, back pain is one of the most common reasons that people miss work. Repeatedly lifting and lowering heavy objects can cause acute back pain, which may only heal with rest and by spending as little time as possible sitting. Some employees may also develop back pain over time after sitting for prolonged periods.
Knee Injuries
If an employee jumps down from an elevated height and lands wrong or shifts suddenly to turn, they can twist their knee, which may cause a strain or tear. Knee injuries are quite common, although they require long periods for healing. Some ligaments cannot be fully repaired without surgery.
If you or a loved one was injured at work, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation for your injuries. To find out more about how our Englewood Cliffs workers’ compensation lawyers can help and what kind of benefits you may be able to receive, contact us today at (201) 585-9111. A team member at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. would be happy to review your case.
Benefits You May Receive Through Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation benefits vary depending on the injury or illness someone sustained at their workplace, the details of their accident, and the treatment that is required to restore their health. Benefits may include:
- Medical Expenses: Medical costs that may be covered by workers’ compensation include ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctor’s examinations, surgical procedures, physical or occupational therapy, prescription medications, and other medical costs.
- Temporary Total Disability: Employees are entitled to recover 70 percent of their average weekly wage if they are unable to work for more than seven days because of their injury or illness. Their Temporary Total Disability income is not subject to taxes, which helps to bring their income closer to their usual take-home pay.
- Permanent Disability: An employee may qualify for Permanent Disability if their disability permanently impacts their ability to work. Depending on the severity of their disability, they may qualify for either partial disability or permanent total disability. With partial disability, they may still be able to perform work, although not necessarily the same skillset as the job they held at the time of their injury. With total disability, they may not be able to perform any kind of work. Permanent disability benefits are provided for 450 weeks, at which point the employee must prove that they still qualify.
What to Do if You Are Injured at Work
If you are hurt or become ill as the result of a workplace accident, it is important to inform your supervisor or another person in an authority position as quickly as possible. Sometimes employees do not realize they are injured right away. For example, they may feel a small strain in their back when lifting or lowering something but may wake up in extreme pain the next morning. If this is the case, let your supervisor know as soon as you realize you are injured.
If you fail to notify your employer within a reasonable amount of time, you might increase the likelihood that the employer or insurance company could deny your benefits.
Another important step to take is to see a medical professional right away to help document your injuries and their seriousness. If you fail to see someone soon after your injury, your employer or the insurance company could claim your injury came from another accident outside of work.
An Englewood Cliffs Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help
Our Englewood Cliffs workers’ compensation lawyers have worked on many cases like these before. They understand what steps to take to avoid as many delays or complications as possible. They are also aware of what medical documents the insurance company will likely want to see to feel confident that the employee has a qualifying injury. While employees do not necessarily need a lawyer for workers’ compensation cases, having one may give you more confidence in claiming your right to benefits. For a free review of your workers’ compensation claim, contact Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. today at (201) 585-9111.