Under state law, almost all public and private businesses must carry workers’ compensation insurance, which allows employees to make claims for work-related injuries or illnesses. Federal law also provides benefits to maritime workers and oil and gas riggers who must meet certain criteria to qualify. When you are hurt in a work accident caused by someone acting negligently, such as a co-worker, you should seek counsel from a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.
Getting compensation for your work-related injuries can be confusing, especially when you are in pain and unsure of what to do next. You have medical bills, a family to feed, and a job that will not pay your wages until you return to work. A Cut Off workplace injury lawyer could help you recover financially for your pain.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation benefits include medical bills and a portion of wages workers lose while out sick or injured. A physician must certify that the injury or illness is work-related. This safety net pays out almost immediately and does not require employees to prove employers were negligent as required for personal injury lawsuits. Injured people who make mistakes that contribute to their can still receive workers’ compensation, but willful misconduct, such as showing up for work drunk, will disqualify a worker from benefits.
Workers must prove their injuries happened at work. Those that suddenly occur with others involved, such as an explosion and fire at a construction site that severely burns a worker, are easy to prove. However, not all claims are straightforward.
Some illnesses or injuries develop over time, or a pre-existing condition can worsen because of job tasks. Insurers, workers’ compensation administrators, and employers can challenge the validity of a claim if the injured worker does not prove the connection between work and injury. A workplace injury attorney in Cut Off understands how to prove a claim and could negotiate on your behalf.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Personal injury lawsuits against an employer or co-worker offer benefits beyond workers’ compensation. Injured plaintiffs must prove defendants were negligent, which is established by showing they acted unreasonably and caused the accident in which the plaintiff was injured.
Besides awards for lost wages and medical bills, plaintiffs can recover payment for emotional losses. This includes putting a price tag on disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of the enjoyment of life, and living with permanent disabilities.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act is a federal law that provides benefits to harbor workers, longshoremen, and other maritime industry employees.
Workers do not have to prove anyone was at fault to receive benefits. A Cut Off workplace injury lawyer could determine which benefits a client is eligible for.
The Jones Act
The federal government compensates sea workers for medical care, lost wages, and emotional injuries. Eligible workers must spend a significant part of their workday on a seagoing vessel or offshore oil or gas platform, contributing to the overall operation.
The Jones Act pays benefits for work-related exposure to toxic substances. The exposure must be related to the injury incurred, such as contracting mesothelioma after working on vessels laden with asbestos.
Talk to a Cut Off Workplace Injury Attorney Who Understands Your Situation
Workplace accidents happen daily, and many employees exposed to toxic substances or whose jobs involve repetitive motions see a worsening of existing health woes. Under state and federal law, programs are in place to ensure you are not left stuck with medical bills and receive a portion of your wages until you can return to work.
Contact an attorney today who could work tirelessly to get you the most money available. A Cut Off workplace injury lawyer at Scott Vicknair only gets paid when we win.
