Have you suffered an injury at work?
It’s surprisingly common. In fact, there were almost 3 million workplace injuries and illnesses reported by employees in the US last year.
If it happens to you, you could find yourself in a legal battle with your employer. You may not know whether you really need an attorney to help you. In this article, we’ll clarify things for you.
The following is how to figure out when you should hire a workplace injury lawyer.
When You Need a Workplace Injury Lawyer
Whether you’ve suffered a common workplace injury or have been the victim of a freak accident, you may need an attorney. Here’s how to know whether or not to seek help.
You’re No Longer Able to Work
If you’ve suffered permanent disability as a result of injuries sustained at work, you could be entitled to either a large lump sum or regular payments for the rest of your life.
It’s not always as easy as getting the money you’re entitled to however. Insurance companies often make it difficult to get a hold of these payments, hoping you’ll give up and settle for less. In this case, it’s absolutely essential to have a workplace injury lawyer fighting in your corner.
You Can Make a Third Party Claim
As well as taking your employer to court for causing your injuries, you may also be able to sue a third party.
These claims are made in cases where the negligence of a third party contributed to the incident. For example, if your injuries were caused by a defective machine or product, you may also be able to sue its manufacturers.
This is more complicated than a straight-forward worker’s compensation case and requires the expertise of an attorney.
You’re Not Receiving Sufficient Benefits
In some cases, employers fail to provide the benefits that an employee is entitled to. Sometimes, they drag their heels and leave them waiting for long periods of time before they pay out.
Some settlements may not include lost wages or medical expenses. This leaves the employee footing the bill, and that’s not right. A lawyer who specializes in workplace injury cases knows exactly what you are entitled to, and will do their best to make sure you get it.
You Don’t Understand the Legal Process
Like all legal processes, fighting a worker’s compensation case can be long and arduous. There is lots of paperwork involved, and it can be confusing as well as overwhelming.
Having an attorney on your side means you don’t have to go through it all alone. With years of experience navigating the legal system, they’ll guide you through everything, taking care of the most difficult parts for you.
This means you can take what is usually a very stressful experience and make it as easy as possible.
Choose Barnes Law Firm
At Barnes Law Firm, we have years of courtroom experience with workers’ compensation cases.
We’re experts at defending clients who’ve suffered from workplace injuries, including slip-and-falls, offshore injuries, and oil and gas injuries.
Contact us for a free consultation to see how we can help you.