Greenville Hurt on the Job Lawyer
No one asks to suffer an injury while working on the job. According to the North Carolina Department of Labor, in the year 2016, over 71,000 employees reported workplace injuries and illnesses.
To be eligible to obtain workers’ compensation benefits, you must have sustained your injuries while on the job and during the course of your employment. Moreover, for tax purposes, you must be an employee and receive a W-2 form at the end of the year. Independent contractors are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
When you suffer an injury on the job, your employer’s workers’ compensation coverage should pay for all related medical treatment and a portion of your lost wages. Depending upon the extent of your injuries, you may also be eligible to recover permanency or vocational rehabilitation benefits. A Greenville hurt on the job lawyer can file a claim and pursue benefits on your behalf. Work with a capable workers’ compensation attorney that could advocate for you.
Types of Dangerous Jobs in Greenville
Some jobs are more dangerous than others. Certain jobs are dangerous because they expose employees to inherently dangerous working conditions, such as heights, dangerous machinery, and electrical wiring. As an employee, individuals have certain rights, benefits, and protections. A Greenville hurt on the job lawyer could help an individual protect those rights.
Although a worker in any industry may suffer an injury at work, there are common industries that put employees at a greater risk. Some of the most common examples mentioned below are popular industries in Greenville.
Construction Work
Construction workers work from heights and can injure themselves falling from roofs, scaffolding, or other equipment. They may also sustain injuries if they are struck by heavy objects or become caught in heavy machinery.
Trucking
Truck drivers, including the drivers of big rigs and tractor trailers, may suffer injuries in accidents with other vehicles. Serious truck accidents can happen when drivers are fatigued or when they drive in a careless or reckless manner.
Farm Work
Farm workers can suffer serious injuries if their tractors overturn or if they become caught in a piece of farm equipment. They can also suffer serious injuries from continual stooping and cutting.
Maintenance Work
Groundskeepers and maintenance workers can sustain serious illnesses and injuries when they are exposed to harmful or toxic substances while on the job. They can also suffer injuries from the equipment they use.
Factory Work
Factory workers can injure themselves with tools, on factory machinery, or with dangerous chemicals or explosives which are present in the factory. These risks increase with long hours and overtime.
A Greenville hurt on the job lawyer could help an individual recover the benefits that they are owed.
Reporting Injuries and Seeking Treatment
As soon as possible after sustaining an on-the-job injury, the worker should report the accident and injuries to a work supervisor. The supervisor can then report the accident to the insurance carrier and start the workers’ compensation claims process.
The injured worker should also seek immediate follow-up care at a local hospital or urgent care center. They should make sure to comply with any discharge instructions. When workers keep a journal – or log – of all missed work hours and medical appointments, it saves time if a dispute arises later.
Finally, injured workers should avoid long gaps in their medical treatment. They should continue receiving treatment until they reach a level of maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI is the point at which an injured worker’s medical condition is not expected to improve.
Calling a Greenville Hurt on the Job Attorney
Injuries sustained while on the job can put a serious damper on your personal and professional life. However, it is important to understand that when the unexpected occurs, you do have legal options available to you.
A Greenville hurt on the job lawyer can file a claim on your behalf and pursue workers’ compensation benefits. Call an experienced attorney who can answer your questions and help you pursue a workers’ compensation claim.
