Workers Compensation Claims
Even though some jobs put employees at an increased risk compared to others, there are no areas of vocation that are immune to job site injuries. Work related injuries can occur if you work at a desk and they can occur if you work out in the field. Our law firm is capable of handling any workers’ compensation claim that needs to be made from any of a long list of injuries capable of happening on the job. These include:
- Catastrophic Brain Injury
- Amputation (loss of limb)
- Blindness
- Chemical Burns
- Repetitive Stress Injuries
- Wrongful Death
- Paralysis
- Mental Impairment
- Post-Injury Stress
- Leg Injury (including foot, ankle and knee)
- Lifting Injuries
- Forklift Accidents
- Defective/Malfunctioning Equipment
- Ladder and Scaffold Accidents
This is just a small sampling of the kinds of injuries that can qualify you for a workers’ compensation claim. If you have been injured while performing your job and that injury prevents you from returning to work, then you have the right to make a workers’ comp claim to receive compensation for your injury.
Workers’ Comp and Construction Site Accidents
It should come as no surprise that one of the most dangerous professions is that of a construction worker, with an average of 4% of all workers receiving a serious work related injury. What makes a construction site more dangerous than other places of employment is the variety of ways in which one may be injured. What follows are the top accident types reported by construction sites across the country:
- 25% Falls
- 23% Overexertion
- 22% Struck By
- 10% Other Bodily Motion
- 7% Struck Against
- 3% Caught In
- 2% MAVs
- 7% All Other Injuries
25% of all workers’ compensation claims made on construction sites are from falls, while the addition of ‘overexertion’ and ‘struck by’ brings that number up to 70%. If you have been injured on a construction site in the metro Atlanta area, then do not hesitate to contact our law firm. Attorney John A. Snyder can assist you with filing your workers’ compensation claim.
Forklift Accidents
Forklift accidents are an unfortunate risk when working in a warehouse or factory and a forklift accident can lead to any number of injuries. Some workers are fortunate enough to escape with mere cuts and bruises while others suffer traumatic head injuries that render them disabled for the rest of their lives. There are many reasons why, even when all safety standards are met, a forklift accident may occur:
- Uneven Loads Shifting
- Objects Falling From Forklift
- Forklift Striking Another Employee
- Forklift Tipping Over
If you have been involved in a forklift accident you may need the assistance of attorney John Snyder in order to receive the compensation that is owed to you.
Workers’ Compensation for Lifting Injuries
One of the most common injuries that can be sustained at the workplace is a lifting injury. Even though the most likely places for a lifting injury to occur are construction sites, warehouses and factories, it doesn’t mean that they can’t happen at offices or retail stores as well. Lifting injuries can affect a wide variety of body parts, including:
- Muscle Aches and Sprains
- Back Injuries
- Damage to Soft Tissue
- Torn Ligaments
Suffering these injuries in the course of your employment can cause you to miss work for an extended period of time and even cause you to be unable to return to your job.
Chemical Burns
Dangerous and harmful chemicals are best avoided if you have the chance, but many people work in fields that require them to interact with chemicals on a daily basis that have the potential to burn. When the skin comes into contact with acids, alkalis or other irritants it can result in damage to organs or permanent scarring to the skin. Chemical exposure also has the potential to cause someone to go blind or deaf if the chemical burn occurs on the head. This will also lead to the possibility of extensive reconstruction surgery before the individual is capable of returning to their previous life.
Electrocutions
Electrocutions are surprisingly common in some fields of work. Cable installers, electricians and construction workers are all at risk of suffering an electrical-related injury. Some companies are desperate to fill positions and send new employees into the field before they are properly trained. This can lead to severe injuries for employees. Other workers misrepresent their qualification level in order to secure work in dark economic times. In either case an electrocution has the potential to be life-threatening and the odds of recovering completely are not great. If you have been electrocuted while on the job we can help you receive the compensation and medical treatment that is owed to you.
Defective and Malfunctioning Equipment
When you work with heavy machinery on a regular basis you run the risk of using a piece of equipment that is either defective or malfunctioning. In the construction, mechanical or manufacturing industries this tends to happen on rare occasions, but when it does the damage can be devastating. It is not rare to see amputations, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage or deep lacerations in workers who have been using defective equipment. If you have been injured on the job because of a piece of malfunctioning equipment, you may have a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury case. Contact our law firm for a free consultation with an attorney and we can tell you exactly how to pursue one or both of these claims.
Ladder and Scaffold Accidents
When you are working on a construction site you may be expected to perform your duties atop a large ladder or a scaffold. Although this starts to become second nature after enough time passes, there is still a serious risk of injury if you fall from a ladder or scaffold. Falls can result in a number of injuries, including:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Spinal Cord Damage
- Broken Bones
- Paralysis
- Internal Bleeding
The damage that can be caused is not insignificant and it may require you to file a workers’ compensation claim. Contact Atlanta attorney John A. Snyder immediately if you or someone you know has been injured in a ladder or scaffold accident, and our law firm will work hard to get you the workers’ compensation you deserve.
Workers’ Comp for Occupational Diseases
Many people aren’t aware that you can file a workers’ compensation claim for occupational diseases, classified as any disease you have received by being exposed to toxins at work. Occupational disease claims are notoriously difficult to get approved without the assistance of an attorney who has experience in workers’ comp cases. You need to prove that you were exposed to the disease because of your profession, that the disease you suffer from has a history of being linked with your profession and that your profession has a higher rate of suffering from the disease than the general public. Mercury, lead, hepatitis, benzene and asbestos are just a few of the most common examples of dangerous exposure you may face while performing your professional duties.
At-Work Injuries
You don’t need to be a construction worker or heavy machine operator to suffer from a job-related injury. Accidents can happen anyway, and every employee has equal rights as far as workers’ compensation is concerned. What follows are some examples of the most common at-work injuries:
- On The Clock Car Accidents
- Animal Bites
- Slip and Fall
- Ligament Sprain
- Muscle Strain
These are all injuries that can happen in any retail or office environment and some injuries (like muscle strains) can get worse over time if not treated. Most people are under the impression that these injuries are too minor to report, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you do not deal with your injury immediately, it can worsen and cause you tremendous suffering down the line. Before that happens, talk to a lawyer with experience in workman comp law. If you’ve sustained a strain or other injury while at work, contact our law firm to see if you may qualify for workers’ compensation.
