What to do if You Are Injured at the Workplace
The majority of businesses are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which protects employees who are injured or fall ill while working. This insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages (or a portion of these costs), regardless of who is at fault. If you have suffered a workplace illness or injury, you may find yourself searching for the best workers’ compensation attorney in the area. The West Palm Beach attorneys at Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt are skilled personal injury lawyers who work to ensure that our clients are fairly compensated when they are injured on the job. Our team has over 200 years of combined experience handling work injury cases in West Palm Beach, and it’s our job to alleviate any unnecessary stress during this hard time.
Are there eligibility requirements for workers’ compensation?
While laws regarding workers’ compensation due differ for each state, there are a few common requirements for receiving workers’ compensation benefits:
- Your employer must carry workers’ compensation insurance. As previously mentioned, it is required for most businesses to hold this insurance, but the level of insurance does vary depending on the type of business, number of employees, and the type of work the employees perform.
- You must be an employee. An employee is considered full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal. Volunteers and independent contractors do not qualify as employees. However, if you were injured as a volunteer or independent contractor, the best workers’ compensation attorney would advise filing a personal injury claim.
- The injury was sustained during a job-related activity. It’s important to note that there are some grey areas with this requirement. Some injuries could be sustained off the worksite but still connected to a job activity, for example.
Types of Workplace Injuries
The most common types of workplace injuries and illnesses are caused from falling, motor vehicle accidents, repetitive motion, and handling hazardous materials manually.
- Defective equipment, carelessness, and unsafe work conditions are the main causes of falling on the worksite. These can result in broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even death.
- If an employee was doing work-related business while in a motor vehicle accident, their injuries could be compensated by workers’ compensation. However, employees are not eligible for compensation if they were in a car accident commuting to or from work.
- The most common injury reported is a repetitive motion injury. These occur from performing the same motion over and over for a long period of time. This can cause carpal tunnel, bursitis, and tendonitis.
- Another common claim for workers’ compensation is for back injuries, caused by manually handling materials. This includes holding, lifting, carrying, placing, or lowering holds.
What should I do after an injury?
It is important to notify your supervisor directly after you have been injured at work. There are strict reporting guidelines that vary from state to state, so it is imperative to report your injury as soon as it takes place. Once your employer is aware of the situation, they are required to make sure you obtain proper medical attention. They are also responsible for filing a claim with their insurance company in West Palm Beach and with the state workers’ compensation board.
Consult with a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in West Palm Beach
Workers’ compensation doesn’t cover personal injuries that occur off the clock. If you have been injured at the worksite, however, you may be entitled to personal injury damages. Although it’s possible to file a claim on your own, there’s no harm in searching for the best workers’ compensation attorney West Palm Beach could provide for extra legal counsel.
At Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt, we have your best interests in mind. We use our extensive skills and prior experience to help guide our clients through the workers’ compensation process. Contact the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt today at (561) 616-3800 for a consultation.
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