When working in an office, you may not think that you will ever need workers’ compensation. And many times when people who are injured at work do not file for workers’ compensation because they are either not aware of their company’s policy or do not want to go through the “hassle” of filing a claim. Legally, in many states, any employer who has more than four employees has to provide their employees with workers’ compensation. But what exactly are the reasons people file a workers’ compensation claim? A best workers’ compensation lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida knows that these are the top reasons.
Types of Injuries
- Warehouse injuries
It may not come as a surprise to you that warehousing jobs come with a lot of risks. In fact, a best workers’ compensation lawyer in West Palm Beach knows that a warehouse can be one of the most dangerous places to work. Things are moving at very fast speeds, heavy machinery is around every corner, and people are asked to lift heavy items. And while warehouses take safety extremely seriously and have many protocols and procedures to protect the safety of their employees, accidents can still happen. Common warehouse injuries include:
- Forklift accidents: Whether it’s the driver or someone getting in the way of a forklift, these accidents can be the most severe and it’s important for everyone to use extreme caution while operating.
- Back injuries: In warehouses, there are a lot of heavy items – machinery, pallets of products, etc. – and not lifting those items properly can result in a back injury.
- Falling objects: If you’ve ever been in a warehouse, you’ve seen the tall ceilings and the high racking of products. Objects can fall when being moved, shifted, or taken down.
- Slips and Falls
Slips and falls can happen anywhere and in any setting. Imagine you walked across a recently mopped floor and slipped and twisted your ankle. This injury would be eligible for workers’ compensation. The caveat of these injuries is that they must take place on company property or at a company sponsored function.
This means if you slip and fall in the lobby of your building, the breakroom, or even the parking lot, you are still on company property and therefore can file a workers’ compensation claim. This also means that if you are at a company sponsored event such as a dinner, golf outing, business trip, etc. then any slip and fall accidents that occur in those locations would also qualify for workers’ compensation. That’s because even though you were not on company grounds, you were only at that location because of work.
- Overuse
One harder to prove but still a common example of a workplace injury is overuse or repetitive motion. This is common in office job settings and can be caused by doing one motion over and over again such as typing, sitting for long periods of time, staring at a computer screen, or lifting objects. While these types of injuries require a bit more proof that it was caused at work, many people still choose to file a claim if, for example, they write for a living and end up developing carpal tunnel.
When Injured Workers’ Need the Best West Palm Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you’ve experienced any of these injuries while at work, you should file a workers’ compensation claim. It’s a benefit provided to your from your employer and there is no need for you to be in pain or pay the expenses out of pocket if the injury was caused by something you do at work.
Unfortunately, in many cases, the employer or the insurance company will give the injured worker a difficult time, which leads the victim to go on a search for the best workers’ compensation lawyer West Palm Beach clients recommend. If you have suffered a work-related injury, contact the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt today.
Client Review
“My attorney from Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt, Eric Lakind, returned my calls when I had a question or an issue. Lisa and Kim regularly communicate through emails and telephone to ensure that my injury is being taken care of and insuring that the workers’ compensation company is doing what they are supposed to be doing.”
Ricky Jordan
