Work-related injuries unfortunately happen more common than most people realize. Whether a person has been injured by faulty machinery or was involved in a fight with another employee, these injuries can leave workers in pain and suffering. They can also result in hefty medical bills, damages, and losses that may impact the employee’s personal and professional life. People in a variety of industries can be injured on the job, with the most frequently seen injuries being in manufacturing factories with large machinery.
There are a number of different forms of workers’ compensation benefits that are used to compensate injured employees statewide. Some of these benefits include social security disability, temporary total disability, permanent total disability, and dependency disability in the event of wrongful death.
In most cases, your first step should be to file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer. You may also want to seek legal representation in case your claim is denied or the insurance company tries to payout less than what you need and deserve following the accident. In most states, the claim is required to be filed within 30 days of the injury.
Workers’ compensation cases can be tricky to navigate and leave injured employees confused and stressed out. Luckily, the dedicated and experienced workers’ comp injury lawyers at Florin|Roebig are here to help. Our legal team has years of experience working on Minnesota workers’ compensation cases and would be happy to walk you through every step of the process.
Why Do Accidents Happen At Work?
There are several reasons why an accident may occur in the workplace. Some of these reasons are unavoidable on behalf of the employee, such as faulty machinery, while others could have been avoided if the employee had taken the appropriate safety measures. If you’re unsure as to whether the accident was your fault or your employer’s, consider speaking with an MN workers’ compensation lawyer to determine the best way to approach your case.
Common examples of causes of workplace accidents include:
- Driving a company vehicle, such as a semi-truck, while overly tired
- Driving a company vehicle, such as a semi-truck, that hasn’t been properly maintained
- Not putting on personal protective equipment (PPE) before working with dangerous chemicals or toxins
- Machinery or tool malfunctions
- Lack of maintenance on machinery, tools, material, or motor vehicles
- Improper employee training related to their position and daily task requirements
- Falling from a high location, such as off of a roof or ladder
- Slips and falls
- Tripping over something on the ground, such as an uneven walkway
- Repetitive stress injuries that are constantly aggravated when performing one’s job duties
Many of these instances are examples of unavoidable injuries at work, but some, such as driving while overly tired, can be avoided. There are also several measures that employers can take to create a safer environment for their employees.
What Kind Of Injuries Happen In Work-Related Accidents?
The type of injury a worker incurs will largely depend on the accident itself, how severe it was, and whether the worker was wearing or using any safety gear. Additionally, the type of machinery being used, if any, can largely affect the worker’s injury as well.
Examples of injuries that can occur at work include:
- Broken bones
- Neck and back injuries or pain
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts or torn skin
- Fractures
- Knee injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Strains
- Contusions
- Sprains
- Concussions
- Wrongful death
If you or a loved one has experienced these or other injuries will on the job, you should file a claim with your employer. Even if your injury is not severe, it still alerts the employer to potentially dangerous situations that they can work to avoid in the future. If you feel you deserve compensation for your work-related injury, contact a Bloomington workers’ compensation lawyer today.
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Factors That Can Impact The Outcome Of Your Work Comp Claim
As with most insurance company claims, there are certain factors that can directly affect the result of your claim. Getting familiar with these factors and whether any apply to you can help you set a reasonable expectation for the outcome of your claim.
Here are a few things that can impact the result of your workers’ compensation case:
- Whether you have any pre-existing illnesses or injuries
- How severe your workplace injuries are
- Whether you were directly involved in the cause of the incident, such as picking a fight with another worker and ending up injured on the job
- How the injuries you sustained affected your personal and professional life
- Whether the injuries prevent you from working for both short-term and long-term periods of time
- Medical care and aftercare needs and expenses related to your injury
- Your age
Additionally, the statute of limitations in Minnesota is another factor that can impact your claim. According to this statute of limitations, workers have a maximum of three years to take action to receive workers’ compensation benefits through their employer. If your injury is not reported within this time period, you will likely be denied benefits.
Steps To Take To Prevent Work-Place Accidents
There are several steps you and your employer can take to help reduce the number of workplace accidents that occur. Some of these steps include:
- Wearing personal protection equipment at all times
- The installation of worker alarms that allow workers to quickly notify the company of an accident
- Regular risk assessment checks to ensure all materials, tools, and machinery are up-to-date and functioning properly
- Wearing a safety device that allows you to push a button to notify your employer of an accident or injury
- Check and re-check all machinery that you work with to ensure it is properly maintained and safe to use
- Using caution signs when there are areas that are slippery or dangerous to walk on or under
All of these safety precautions can go a long way to help prevent injuries at work. The more safety precautions you take, the less likely you are to become injured.
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How The Law Firm Of Florin|Roebig Can Help
While filing a workers’ comp claim may appear easy at first, it rarely is. Many insurance companies work hard to minimize the claim, resulting in reduced benefits and compensation for the claimant. While this protects the insurance company’s bottom line, it is unjust to the injured party. Having an experienced attorney on your side can ensure your rights are upheld and that you receive the benefits you need and deserve to get back on your feet.
With more than 30 years of experience, Florin|Roebig has quickly risen to be one of the top law firms in America. In fact, “US News and World Report” recognized our firm as one of the “Best Law Firms in America,” and our attorneys have been selected as some of the “Best Lawyers in America.” With $1 billion in case results, you can trust you’re in the right hands at Florin|Roebig. Call today for a free and confidential initial consultation.
