Alabama Firm Aids Clients Hurt in Accidents Covered by Workers’ Compensation
Dothan workers’ compensation attorneys help you access benefits
In Alabama, most employees are insured from day one against workplace accidents. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance plan that companies with five or more workers must provide for all employees. To obtain reimbursement for medical costs and lost income, you do not have to prove someone else caused the accident or that your employer acted negligently. However, workers’ compensation also protects your employer, so in most cases you cannot sue. Your only remedy is through workers’ compensation. But, unfortunately, employers don’t always want to pay out benefits. If you have problems collecting the benefits you are owed, Carey & Hamner, P.C. in Dothan is prepared to help.
Skillful advocates take on cases involving commonly occurring workplace accidents
Some industries are more inherently dangerous than others. Workers in construction and heavy industry are subject to greater risks of traumatic, disabling injuries for accidents involving:
- Falls
- Strikes from dropped objects
- Incidents where someone is trapped between objects or pinned by machinery
- Electric shock and electrocution
However, even a sedate office space can present risks of injury due to a slip and fall, trip and fall, overexertion or repetitive stress. Likewise, workers who drive as part of their job are always at risk of vehicle accidents.
The good news is that as long as your accident occurred in the course of your employment and arose out normal job duties, you can file a claim and receive benefits.
Attorneys outline types of injuries frequently covered by workers’ compensation
Workplace injuries due to accidents generally fall into three categories:
- Traumatic injuries — These injuries occur when a worker falls or is struck by an object and suffers a bruise, broken bone, sprain, concussion or other traumatic harm.
- Repetitive stress injuries — Consistent activity within a limited range of motion can cause inflammation or degeneration of tissue and muscles, which inflicts severe pain. Examples are carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative disc disease.
- Toxic exposure — Workers who handle caustic chemicals can suffer from burns to the skin, eyes, mouth, sinus and lungs. Prolonged exposure can trigger deadly diseases, such as cancer, CPOD and mesothelioma.
Workers’ compensation provides medical assistance as well as partial wage replacement when you cannot work.
Types of benefits under workers’ compensation
Worker’s comp benefits fall into several categories:
- Medical treatment — All reasonable and necessary medical care for your injuries.
- Wage replacement — If you cannot work, you can receive two-thirds of your average weekly salary for the previous 52 weeks, up to the maximum benefit set by law. If you cannot work again, you receive permanent total disability benefits, based on your wages over the course of what would have been your normal working lifetime.
- Permanent partial disability — You can receive up to 300 weeks of benefits if you lose some function, but are still able to work.
- Death benefits — The family of a worker killed in a workplace accident can receive up to 500 weeks of wage replacement. Burial benefits are also available.
Workers’ compensation does not cover a claimant’s pain and suffering.
How to claim your benefits and pursue compensation
To claim workers’ compensation benefits, you must report your accident and injury in a timely manner to your employer and fill out a claim form. If you have any questions about what to do after a workplace injury, you should speak to your supervisor. If your employer rejects your claim, you should immediately contact a Dothan workers’ compensation attorney at our firm. In addition to appealing the rejection of your claim, we can investigate your accident to see whether you can file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent third party.
Contact an Alabama workplace accident lawyer for a free consultation
Carey & Hamner, P.C. in Dothan represents clients in workers’ compensation matters. To schedule a free consultation, call 855-435-4797 or contact us online.
