Many employers strive for a safe work environment, but accidents sometimes happen on the job. If you experienced an injury or illness at work in Palisades Park, New Jersey, you may be eligible for certain coverage through workers’ compensation insurance. While every employee should receive appropriate treatment following a work-related incident, sometimes there are disagreements between an employer and employee regarding workers’ compensation.
If you are involved in a dispute of this nature, the law firm Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. may be able to discuss your case. Call (201) 585-9111 to schedule a free consultation.
Common Work-Related Injuries and Incidents
There are many different types of jobs in the United States. Some are very dangerous by nature, while others have a low risk of injury. Regardless of how “safe” you think your job is, injuries may still happen at work. You may also become ill at your place of work. Below are some common work-related injuries and illnesses that may lead to workers’ compensation claims:
- Car accidents or other incidents involved with job-related transportation
- Trips, falls, and slips leading to bruises, cuts, scrapes, broken bones, fractures, dislocations, or other bodily injuries
- Accidents involving heavy or specialty equipment
- Exposure to dangerous chemicals, substances, or hazardous environments
These are just a few of the many ways you may be injured or become ill while at work. Accidents at work are more prevalent than you might expect.
Statistics
In 2018 alone, over 5,200 people died in the United States due to an occupational accident, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While the data varies, generally transportation accidents may result in the most work-related fatalities in the United States. In 2018, over 2,000 individuals lost their lives due to a transportation incident related to work. Other causes of fatalities in 2018 included exposure to harmful substances, slips and falls, as well as violence.
In addition to fatal accidents at work, approximately 2.8 million workers suffered a form of injury while on the job in 2018. About a third of these cases resulted in an employee missing at least one day on the job.
The prevalence of work-related injuries is apparent. It should be the responsibility of employers to create safe working conditions and take care of any employee who is injured, falls ill, or killed while at work. If you experienced an injury or illness on the job and are not receiving adequate compensation, you may be able to take legal action against your employer.
I am delighted to provide this testimonial for Mr. DiGirolamo. His representation of me during my case was unflagging over its four-year duration. He kept me informed, and prepared for every eventuality as the case progressed.
He understood my fears and pain, and saw to it that Workmans Comp provided support for me until my civil case was settled. He prepared me substantially whenever necessary. I was very grateful for his understanding of the disastrous effect my accident had on every aspect of my life.
He was always supportive and kind personally, and totally professional. He reminded me to be realistic about the eventual outcome, and advised me as to the importance of my demeanor and attitude.
Everyone I came in contact with at the office was polite and helpful, in particular Marisol Suarez, Mr. DiGirolamo’s paralegal assistant. I will always be grateful for the way my case was handled.
We hired Chris DiGirolamo as our attorney after Mike suffered a life changing injury at work. From the time we met Chris we felt we can trust him to work in the best interest for Mike’s needs. Chris is very down to earth and we felt comfortable whenever we met with him. He spoke to us so we always understood what was going on. He never threw around legal jargon that we would not be able to understand. He was always willing to ensure we knew exactly how our case was proceeding. Chris showed humanity in dealing with Mike’s Injuries and understanding of Mike’s unwillingness to accept some of the changes in his life.
Chris’s high level of energy and desire to bring a case to the best possible results were evident from day one. Our case was settled but of court with the help of a mediator and Chris was by our side explaining what was going on every step of the way. His preparation throughout the case was evident as he spoke before the mediator. It was a pleasure to watch. Chris at work and know he was working for us. He is tough and stubborn when necessary. We were also impressed by the respect shown to Chris by the retired judge we worked with as well as other lawyers. Chris was only happy with this case when he knew we had a settlement that we were very impressed with.
Preventing Work-Related Injuries
It is your employer’s duty to create a safe space to work, but even in the safest of conditions accidents may still happen. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a list of common violations by employers in 2018. Some of the more common violations by employers included:
- Improperly labeled or managed hazards and hazardous materials
- Failure to adequately protect against slipping or falling
- Safety violations for use of machinery
- Improper use or unavailability of face and eye protection, as well as other personal protective measures
If you believe your employer may have been guilty of a violation that caused your injuries or illnesses, you may be able to discuss your case with a legal expert. Call the Palisades Park workers’ compensation team from Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. at (201) 585-9111 for a free initial consultation.
Coverage Possibly Available Under Workers’ Compensation
While not every workers compensation policy is exactly the same, if you have an incident at work that leads to injury, illness, necessary medical attention, or interrupts your ability to get back to work, you may fall under your employer’s workers’ compensation umbrella. Some compensation that may be available for you might include:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses related to your injury or illness, including future treatment, rehabilitation, and medication
- Reimbursement for lost wages due to your inability to work
- Benefits for a long-term or permanent disability
- Damages awarded to a spouse or family member of a worker who suffered a fatal injury while on the job
There are many reasons workers compensation disputes may occur between an injured or ill employee and their current or former employer. An employer may question your status as an employee, your ability to get back to work within a certain timeframe, the extent of your injuries, and if your incident was truly work related.
It may be beneficial to consider talking to a Palisades Park workers’ compensation lawyer to help evaluate your options. There is a statute of limitations in most states regarding workers’ compensation claims and disputes, so acting in a timely manner may help ensure your case is eligible for consideration.’
Verdicts and Settlements
$2,325,000 - Work Site Accident
To an HVAC worker who fell through an opening in a roof. The defense argued the opening was obvious and he should have watched where he was going. We proved that the unprotected opening was an OSHA violation and the worker was entitled to a reasonable cover to protect him from an inadvertent slip and fall as required by Federal regulations.
$2,600,000 - Construction Accident
To widow and child of a deceased dock builder injured during a pile driving operation. Defendant Developer and General Contractor placed blame on employer of deceased worker who could not be sued because of the Worker Compensation Statute that says you can not sue your employer. We proved that even though the employer was negligence, the Developer and GC had to primary duty of safety on the…
$101,000,000 - Construction Accident
To 20 injured workers and the families of four workers who were killed in the collapse of a parking garage at the Tropicana Casino Resort in 2003. The case involved multiple defendants, including Tropicana and a number of construction contractors. The parking garage collapsed while it was under construction because rebar was not properly installed, leaving the floors disconnected from the walls. As part of the trial…
Contact Us
If you or a loved one was the victim of a work-related injury, illness, or death, you may be entitled to compensation. The legal process may be confusing and takes time and energy away from your recovery. The workers’ compensation team at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. may be able to answer your questions and better understand your options moving forward. Call (201) 585-9111 for a free case evaluation so you can start to take action and get back to living your life.
