Work Injury Lawyer Fort Pierce
Concrete is perhaps the most ubiquitous building material at construction job sites. It is the foundation of nearly every building and makes up sidewalks, certain parking lots, and numerous other structures. It is an incredibly useful building material. But at certain times and under certain conditions, it can also be quite dangerous. It’s important to understand that if you’ve been harmed by concrete, you shouldn’t simply “suck it up.” In the construction industry, there is a sense that if an injury isn’t bad enough to put you out of work, you shouldn’t seek medical attention or seek legal guidance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Please contact a work injury lawyer Fort Pierce residents’ trust if you’ve been burned or otherwise harmed by concrete. The team at Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt can help you to explore your legal options and help you gain access to any compensation you may be entitled to at this time.
Chemical Burns from Wet Concrete
Most people who have significant experience pouring and smoothing wet concrete are well aware of the dangers of “concrete burns.” Getting wet concrete on the skin often leads to dry and chapped skin, but that’s just the beginning. Portland Cement contains hexavalent chromium, which is an alkaline. Prolonged contact with the skin can lead to contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and, eventually, second-degree burns. Skin infections are also a serious hazard.
When working with concrete, it is essential to use the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly the right kind of gloves and clothing, to ensure direct contact between your skin and the curing concrete is prevented or greatly minimized. If exposure does occur, the area should be treated reasonably quickly with plenty of water, non-alkaline soap, and other liquids which can wash off or neutralize the dangerous chemicals. If your employer is not providing you with proper access to PPE and washing stations, please let our Fort Pierce work injury lawyer team know.
Remember that when a worker realizes he is being burned, it is too late, and the damage is already done. At that point, the best option is to seek immediate medical attention and to let the physician know that you have suffered a concrete burn.
Heat Burns from Dry Concrete on Hot Days
Florida can get very hot during the summer months, and that is especially true for paved surfaces. If you are working outdoors in direct sunlight in an area with a lot of concrete, please remember that those surfaces are soaking up the heat all day long. If you sit down to take a break or even fall down onto sunbaked concrete, you can suffer severe burns in a very short period of time.
One way to prevent burns is to hose down the concrete with water if you expect that your skin will contact it. Otherwise, please wear durable boots with soles that do not conduct heat, and always be aware that the ground can be dangerously hot.
Injured in a Construction Site Accident? Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
Our firm is dedicated to helping injured workers collect the workers’ compensation benefits they are entitled to under Florida law. While the process for filing a claim should be straightforward, many workers find it frustrating and confusing. Employers and insurance companies often try to find any reason to deny valid claims. Therefore, it can be very helpful to work with an experienced Fort Pierce work injury lawyer who can guide you from initial claim filing through all levels of appeal (if necessary).
To get started, contact our office to initiate an initial consultation with a Fort Pierce work injury lawyer today. We look forward to speaking with you.
Your Workers’ Compensation Questions, Answered
Injured workers will have many questions for our work injury lawyer Fort Pierce recommends following a job-related accident. Before taking action, it’s essential that victims thoroughly review all available options following an injury before accepting workers’ compensation benefits. While workers’ compensation may be the most appropriate step to take, having our team from Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt thoroughly review your case allows for the opportunity to understand all available options. We know that job-related injuries can be challenging to contend with, and by meeting with our team, we can assist with making sure that your questions are answered, and you have a clear direction to move forward.
What benefits does workers’ compensation offer?
Know that in many situations where workers’ compensation is available, injured workers may be advised to accept this benefit. Injuries can result in the need for missed time from work, medical expenses, and more, all of which could significantly impact a person’s life. Access to workers’ compensation can offer:
- Coverage for medical expenses
- Reduced pay from missed time away from work
- Assistance with job retraining programs
- Any additional medical care that you may require over a more extended period
- Are there circumstances that might make me ineligible for workers’ compensation?
Whether you can retain these benefits will depend upon several factors. Specific positions at companies may impact a person’s ability to maintain compensation or workers’ compensation benefits, including:
- Volunteer positions
- Freelance employees
Additionally, our work injury lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL shares that you may be unable to collect these benefits if:
- Your injury did not occur while you were working
- Your employer does not have workers’ comp insurance
If you are experiencing any of the above challenges, it’s imperative that you speak with a lawyer. With their assistance, you will receive the best approach to moving forward with your case.
When collecting workers’ compensation, is it possible to also file a lawsuit?
This is why our services are so important. Our team will be able to advise you on the proper approach. In many situations, you may be required to accept workers’ compensation instead of pursuing a personal injury claim. However, it’s important to note that if you were injured and a third party is to blame, you might be able to take legal action.
Other exceptions include:
- Failure on your employer to retain the proper workers’ compensation insurance
- Being intentionally harmed due to your employer’s negligence
What factors are considered when determining compensation?
Workers’ compensation benefits can come in many forms depending upon the type and severity of the injury. If you were either permanently or temporarily disabled, you could receive compensation. However, the amount will depend upon the injury and the impact it has had on you. In some situations, permanently disabled victims may be entitled to receive a payout for damages.
Workers’ compensation can offer several benefits, and our team from Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt can play a crucial role in ensuring that you can access the services you require. Workers’ compensation cases can be complex, and it will be imperative that you receive guidance from our firm. We want to help you in making the best possible decisions when moving forward with your case. To further discuss your case, contact our Fort Pierce, Florida work injury lawyer today!
When To Find a Work Injury Lawyer in Fort Pierce
If your injuries are clearly work-related, need comprehensive medical treatment, include long periods of time off work, or result in long-term special needs, you must call an employees’ compensation lawyer at Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt. Get the settlement you should have.
Did the injury happen at work?
Not every hurt worker will need to hire an attorney. After all, the employees’ settlement system is an administrative process developed to be reasonably easy for employees to navigate. If you have a straightforward claim that is not being challenged by your company or its insurance provider, you can most likely manage your own claim. The procedure is not always that easy. Numerous employees will require to– or can benefit significantly from– hiring an employees’ payment attorney.
In a couple of cases, a staff member who suffers an injury at work can make a claim beyond workers’ payment, and an accident legal representative would be appropriate. If you were injured as a result of your company’s deliberate act, or if you’re a crew member on a vessel or an interstate railway worker, you can generally sue your employer in court for an office injury.
When a Work Injury Lawyer in Fort Pierce is necessary
If you suffer a reasonably minor injury at work that totally heals with treatment, you probably will not require to hire a lawyer. Insurance companies are unlikely to dispute claims that but if they do you may need to contact Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt.
- involve injuries that are clearly work-related.
- don’t require comprehensive medical treatment.
- do not include long periods of time off work, and.
- do not result in irreversible injuries.
You sprained your ankle after you slipped on some water in the break room. Your doctor told you to ice your ankle, take pain relievers, and stay on bed rest for a few days. Because you work a desk task, you were able to return to work fairly rapidly and your ankle healed within a couple of weeks. In this case, your trip to the physician would be covered. Nevertheless, you probably wouldn’t even receive wage loss benefits in many states because you were only out of work for a couple of days.
When a Lawyer Is Typically Necessary
At any time you’re in a disagreement with the insurer, you ought to consider employing a lawyer to represent you. You will need to collect evidence in order to challenge the insurance company’s position, which might include taking depositions, requesting an independent medical checkup, and working with expert witnesses– all of which require legal knowledge and ability.
The following are some examples of when you’re best served by employing a legal representative:.
Your claim is rejected. Insurers reject workers’ payment claims for a range of reasons. The insurance coverage company may declare that your injury wasn’t job-related or that you filed your claim too late. You can appeal the rejection through the employees’ settlement system. While the appeals procedure varies from one state to another, it usually needs you to submit official documents, use legal tools to gather evidence, and present your case at a hearing.
Not every hurt employee will need to hire an attorney. The workers’ settlement system is an administrative process designed to be fairly easy for employees to navigate. Numerous workers will need to– or can benefit greatly from– hiring a workers’ settlement legal representative.
Insurance companies deny employees’ payment claims for a range of reasons. You can appeal the rejection through the workers’ compensation system.
Reach out to a work injury lawyer in Fort Pierce today by contacting Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt.