Workers’ Compensation Attorney, West Palm Beach
Who should you call when you need a West Palm Beach workers’ compensation attorney? You want to work with an attorney you can trust from the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt. When you are working on the job and you sustain an injury, there are likely many things that are running through your head. “Was there something I could have done to avoid this? How will I go back to work after this injury? How will I pay for my medical bills?” While these are all legitimate questions, most employers have workers’ compensation insurance that was put in place to help employees who were injured on the job. Unfortunately, just because an injury occurs on the job does not mean that your company’s insurance will cover the costs of your medical bills or that they will even approve the claim. The workers’ compensation process can become frustrating quickly and if they outright deny your claim you might be tempted to accept that. However, having a workers’ compensation attorney in West Palm Beach, Florida from the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt on your side can be very beneficial to you and can ensure that you have filled out and turned everything in that is necessary. For more information, contact our office today.
What should I do immediately after my injury?
A West Palm Beach workers’ compensation attorney knows that the steps you take immediately following your injury are incredibly important. You may be tempted to brush it off and continue back with your work, however, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. First, assess yourself for injuries and determine if you need to be rushed to the hospital, if not, report your injury to your supervisor quickly and try to give them a written notice as well. This can be very useful in the future for proving you followed the correct steps. You should document anything at the scene by writing it down or taking pictures, then you should go to the doctor’s office as soon as you can to have them check you out. It is important that you tell them you are there because of a workplace injury.
Injuries Covered Under Workers’ Compensation
For many states, there need to be certain elements in place to ensure workers’ compensation will cover the accident. These are:
- The injury occurred at your place of work or it occurred while you were conducting some sort of job-related function.
- The accident happened because of a work-related activity.
- You went through the proper channels to notify your supervisor about the injury.
What kind of compensation can I receive?
A workers’ compensation attorney from West Palm Beach knows there are several types of compensation you may be eligible for when you file a workers’ compensation claim. These are:
- Medical Bills
- Loss of Income
- Loss of Future Income
- Physical Therapy
What are the common reasons claims are denied?
Unfortunately, just because you sustained an injury at work does not mean that you will automatically be covered under workers’ compensation benefits. Some of the reasons your claim may have been denied are:
- Your injury did not occur at work.
- Your injury was the result of your roughhousing.
- You did not report your injury in the appropriate amount of time to your supervisor.
- You did not seek medical attention for your injury.
Clearly, workers’ compensation claims can become very complicated quickly, so it is important to seek the help of a workers’ compensation attorney in West Palm Beach from the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt today!
As a West Palm Beach workers’ compensation attorney has seen before, the most common injuries that people sustain while at work include slip and falls, contact with equipment, and overexertion. Most injuries are preventable if only proper precautions and adherence to safety guidelines were followed. If you are currently dealing with any kind of workplace injury, do not wait to get medical care. Even if your injuries seem small now, it could worsen as time goes by. You must notify your employer right away and see a doctor promptly.
Slip and Falls
Slip and falls are among the most prevalent types of workplace injuries and are the leading reason for workers’ compensation claims being filed. This includes workers who trip due to holes or clutter, falling from heights, or slipping on a wet floor. Such injuries can be prevented if employers provide their employees with the knowledge and equipment that they need to keep themselves safe. If you are working in an environment that was not safe when your slip and fall happened, it’s important to have a lawyer from The Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt oversee the handling of your workers’ compensation claim to make sure that you’re getting the most coverage possible.
Muscle Strains and Overexertion
Overexertion injuries, such as repetitive strain injuries and muscle strains, can cause long-term pain and lead to less productivity. This type of workplace injury can be caused by manually lifting heavy objects, improper lifting techniques, repetitive work with no breaks, micro-tasking on the factory line, a collapsing structure, typing on a keyboard or using a mouse without ergonomics, and more. Your employer should train you on how to do certain physical tasks correctly and how to prevent muscle strains. As a West Palm Beach workers’ compensation attorney may advise, to avoid overexertion and limit your risk for injury, ensure that you are getting frequent breaks and that you use this time wisely to stretch and rest.
Falling Objects or Malfunctioning Equipment
Workplace injuries related to malfunctioning equipment or falling objects are usually caused by falling tools or materials, poorly guarded machinery, dropped loads, being caught in gears or wire, heavy equipment tipping over, excessive vibration, walking into machinery or walls, being pushed onto a hard surface, or bumping into equipment or an object. These accidents can be prevented by being aware of your surroundings, always abiding by policies and procedures, utilizing personal protective equipment as advised by your employer, avoiding loose clothing, and cleaning up hazards immediately.
Exposure to Substances
Those who work around hazardous chemicals or loud environments can sustain injury to their skin, eyes, ears, and respiratory system. It is imperative that all workers use proper protection and familiarize themselves with chemicals that are present in the workplace. Safety gloves, goggles, and other personal protective equipment must be worn to prevent or reduce the chances of serious injury. Those who work around heavy-duty cleaning materials must also be aware of how to identify signs of bleach poisoning.
If you were injured at work and need assistance right away, please call a West Palm Beach workers’ compensation attorney from The Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt as soon as possible. We are ready to come to your aid.
Client Review
“I want to thank Lisa, Kim and Eric for their great work in getting my settlememt completed. They where always there if I needed anything or had a question. I would highly recommend them if you need help with a Workers Comp Case. Again thanks for your professionalism and hard work. “
Kevin Clark
