Hartford Workplace Accident Lawyer

Workers are the engine that drives the Hartford economy. Unfortunately, hundreds of people are injured on the job and must receive medical care and possibly miss time from work. If you were injured while working, you could receive compensation.

Our firm can meet for a consultation. We can discuss what happened and whether you can receive workers’ compensation insurance or even file a lawsuit against the person who injured you. Our consultations are free, so do not hesitate to contact us.

How People Are Injured at Work

Workplace injuries can happen in any industry, not just high-risk fields like construction or manufacturing. Understanding the types of accidents that occur is important for workers seeking compensation. Whether your injury occurred in an office or on a construction site, a Hartford personal injury lawyer can help guide you through the legal process. Here are some common ways employees can be injured on the job:

Falls in the Workplace

Falls are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries. Workers can slip and fall on wet or uneven surfaces or fall from significant heights on construction sites. These types of accidents often result in serious injuries, leading to high medical expenses. If you’ve been injured in a fall at work, it’s important to consult a Hartford personal injury lawyer to see if you are eligible for compensation.

Motor Vehicle Accidents on the Job

Employees who drive as part of their job, such as delivery drivers or construction workers on a job site, are at risk of being involved in motor vehicle accidents. Negligent or reckless drivers on the road can cause severe injuries to workers, sometimes leading to a personal injury claim. If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident while on the job, reaching out to an experienced personal injury lawyer is crucial to protecting your rights.

Noise-Induced Injuries

Excessive noise in the workplace, particularly in factories and construction sites, can lead to permanent hearing loss. Noise-induced injuries are often overlooked in personal injury cases, but they can have long-term effects on a worker’s health. A Hartford personal injury attorney can help you file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for this type of injury.

Heat-Related Injuries

Many workers, especially those in industries like construction or manufacturing, are exposed to extreme heat conditions. This can lead to heat stress or even heat stroke. Workers in boiler rooms or factories may be especially vulnerable. If you’ve suffered a heat-related injury, contacting Hartford personal injury lawyers can help you secure compensation for lost wages and medical expenses.

Fire and Explosion Accidents

Workplace fires and explosions can result in severe injuries, including burns. These accidents often occur in manufacturing plants or on construction sites where flammable materials are present. An experienced personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case and help you determine the best course of action if you’ve been injured in a fire or explosion at work.

Electrocution Accidents

Electrocution is a serious risk in many industries, particularly construction. Workers exposed to faulty wiring or high-voltage equipment are at risk of serious injury or even death. If you or a loved one has been electrocuted on the job, Hartford personal injury lawyers can help you file a claim against the responsible parties.

Repetitive Strain Injuries

Even desk workers are not immune to workplace injuries. Repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can develop over time due to repetitive motions. These injuries may seem minor at first but can become debilitating if left untreated. Consulting a personal injury attorney is important for workers who need compensation for these types of injuries.

Struck-by Accidents

Construction sites and factories often have heavy machinery or materials that can strike a worker unexpectedly. Falling objects, malfunctioning machines, or even equipment that goes out of control can cause severe injuries. A Hartford personal injury attorney can help you pursue compensation if you’ve been struck by an object or machine at work.

Chemical Exposure and Poisoning

Toxic chemical exposure is another common cause of workplace injuries. Workers in certain industries may inhale or ingest harmful substances, leading to serious health complications. Personal injury lawyers can assist you in filing a personal injury lawsuit if you’ve been poisoned at work.

Workers’ Compensation and Legal Support

In many cases, injured workers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, it’s not always a straightforward process, and some claims may be denied. Workers compensation lawyers can help ensure that you receive the benefits you’re entitled to, while personal injury lawyers can assist in cases where third-party liability is involved.

Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured on the job, it’s important to have the best personal injury lawyer representing you. A personal injury lawyer at our law firm can handle the complexities of your personal injury claim and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Whether you’re dealing with medical expenses, lost wages, or long-term rehabilitation, a skilled Hartford personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal process and fight for your rights to get maximum compensation!

Workplace Injuries

Workers need days and weeks to recover from the following injuries:

• Fractures
• Concussions
• Neck injuries
• Paralysis
• Blindness
• Hearing loss
• Stroke
• Burns
• Amputations
• Carpal tunnel
• Bursitis
• Cancer and other illnesses

These injuries can require extended time away from work. Other injuries or illnesses could be potentially fatal.

Can You Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

If you’ve been injured on the job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a system designed to provide financial support to employees who have been injured or become ill due to their work environment. These benefits can apply to a wide range of workplace injuries and illnesses, including those that occur in dramatic accidents as well as conditions that develop over time. On top of that, if something has gone wrong while in the hospital, we are also equipped to handle any medical malpractice claim. Call today!

What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

Workers’ compensation benefits cover a variety of injuries and illnesses that occur while performing job-related duties. Whether you were involved in a serious workplace accident, such as an explosion or fall, or developed an occupational illness due to hazardous conditions, you may qualify for compensation. These benefits typically include medical treatment, wage replacement, and rehabilitation services to help you recover and return to work.

No-Fault Benefits: A Simple Process for Injured Workers

One of the advantages of workers’ compensation is that it provides no-fault benefits. This means that you do not need to prove your employer was negligent or responsible for your injury to receive compensation. As long as the injury or illness occurred while performing your job duties, you can file a personal injury claim through the workers’ compensation system. This streamlined process allows injured employees to receive benefits more quickly than they might in traditional personal injury cases.

How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Filing a compensation claim is relatively straightforward. Connecticut law requires all employers to purchase workers’ compensation insurance, which is designed to provide benefits to employees when needed. After suffering a workplace injury, you can submit a claim directly to insurance that manages your employer’s workers’ compensation policy. Your employer should provide you with the necessary forms to initiate your claim, and your personal injury law firm can assist you in ensuring that everything is filed correctly.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Cases

It’s important to note that workers’ compensation is different from traditional a personal injury case. In a personal injury case, the injured party must prove that another party was negligent to recover compensation. However, workers’ compensation operates on a no-fault basis, meaning you are entitled to benefits regardless of who was at fault for the accident. While workers’ compensation covers medical expenses and lost wages, it may not fully account for pain and suffering. In some cases, you may still need to pursue a personal injury claim if a third party (such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer) contributed to your injury.

Why You Should Consult a Law Firm

While the workers’ compensation process is designed to be simple, complications can arise. Sometimes, the insurance company may deny your claim or offer less compensation than you deserve. This is where consulting an experienced law firm can make a significant difference. A workers’ compensation attorney can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the full range of benefits you’re entitled to. They can also assist in pursuing additional compensation if your injury involves third-party liability.

What to Do If Your Workers Comp Claim Is Denied

If your workers’ comp claim is denied by the insurance company, don’t lose hope. There are steps you can take to appeal the decision. In such cases, having a legal team on your side is crucial. A skilled attorney can help you gather evidence, file an appeal, and represent you in hearings to fight for the benefits you deserve. In situations where the denial is unfair, a law firm with experience in a personal injury case can be your strongest advocate.

Understanding Your Rights as an Injured Worker

As an injured worker, it’s important to understand your rights. Whether you’re filing a personal injury claim or seeking workers’ compensation benefits, knowing the legal avenues available to you can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help you navigate the process, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure you receive the compensation needed to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs.

Workers’ compensation benefits will cover:

• Any medical treatment that is necessary and reasonable to treat your on-the-job injuries;
• Wage loss benefits (usually 2/3 of your average weekly wage) for temporary disabilities;
• Job retraining benefits to help a worker transition to a new job;
• Permanent partial disability benefits if you lose the use of an organ or limb;
• Permanent total disability benefits if you can’t work ever again.

Call Etemi Law. Although the benefits are no-fault, some employers will argue you had a pre-existing injury or were not hurt at work. Workers’ compensation insurers also like to deny claims because paying benefits cuts into their profits.

What Should You Do after an Accident?

You can protect your legal rights by taking the following steps:

1.       Notify your employer of the accident or injury. You have a legal obligation to notify them as soon as possible to preserve your right to benefits. You also want to protect other people at work who could accidentally get hurt.
2.       Receive medical care. In Connecticut, your employer has the right to direct you to a company facility or a doctor for your initial treatment. After that, you can choose your own doctor or provider. Obtaining prompt treatment is helpful with documenting your injuries.
3.       Speak with witnesses about what they saw. They might provide critical testimony if an insurer denies a claim.
4.       File a workers’ compensation claim. Your employer should have a form; otherwise, you can fill out Form 30C, which you find at the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission website. You get one year from the accident to file for an injury and three years for an occupational illness.
5.       Seek a lawyer’s assistance. Some injured workers receive compensation without any hassle. But many others struggle to get a claim approved. You will benefit from a lawyer’s help.

This is a stressful time. You could be in considerable pain and you don’t know what evidence you need. Call Etemi Law. A lawyer can analyze how you were injured. We also can begin documenting the accident in case questions arise about how you were hurt.

Can You Sue for an On-the-Job Injury?

Under workers’ compensation, you can’t sue your employer. That’s unfortunate because workers’ compensation doesn’t provide any money for a victim’s pain and suffering. Workers also don’t receive 100% of their lost wages or income, only getting two thirds. After an accident, many workers are in so much pain they cannot work. They have no income and need as much help as possible.

You might be able to file a lawsuit against a non-employer for causing your accident. Some common situations include:

• A negligent driver who hit you while traveling for work. Suppose you are traveling to visit a client as required by your employer. If a distracted driver hits you, then you can sue the driver.
• The manufacturer of a defective product. Suppose that your mask fails to work properly, and you inhale dangerous toxins, or your earplugs are defective and don’t block noise, leading to hearing loss. You might sue the manufacturer for selling a defective product if it injures you. Please hold onto the defective product for our inspection.
• Property owner. You might be injured when working away from your office. Suppose you trip and fall while visiting a client. You might sue the property owner for a hidden defect which they did not fix or warn you about.
• Customers and vendors. They could accidentally injure you while you are on the job, and they are not protected by workers’ compensation.

At Etemi Law, we always review whether you can bring a claim against a third party. This is a good way to increase the amount of compensation you receive. We can seek damages for mental distress, bodily pain, suffering, and other intangible losses not covered by workers’ compensation.

We will review your accident and determine who might also share liability. We can also submit a claim on the defendant’s insurance and negotiate a settlement.

Misconceptions about On-the-Job Injuries

We have heard some inaccurate information from the public. We correct the record here:

1.       Myth: Workers’ compensation only covers accidents that happen at your job. It depends. Worker’s compensation covers injuries and illnesses as the result of working. You might not work every day at an office. Instead, you might travel as part of your job. Let us review the facts.
2.       Myth: The state closely supervises insurance companies. Insurance companies actually have a lot of discretion to deny claims. You can’t really rely on the state to protect your interests. Instead, you should hire an experienced lawyer to represent you.
3.       Myth: You can receive workers’ compensation benefits for as long as you need them. This is partially true. But the insurer will probably try to cut off benefits if a doctor says you are sufficiently healed to get back to work. An employer might also try to reduce benefits by offering a return to light duty.
4.       Myth: A lawyer is unnecessary when bringing a workplace accident case. In our experience, injured workers receive more when they have a lawyer. We can bring an appeal to a denial of a workers’ compensation claim and analyze if you can bring a third-party claim. Let us discuss how we charge for our services.
5.       Myth: Salaried workers are not entitled to workers’ compensation. That’s not true. Most salaried workers are covered. Very few workers in Connecticut are exempt.

Instead of trusting what you read online, get expert legal guidance from Etemi Law.

Speak with a Hartford Lawyer about Your Case

Accidents at work are devastating. Hundreds of people are hurt in all sorts of accidents, including construction accidents or even in office jobs. You deserve workers’ compensation benefits when you are hurt on the job. Don’t let an insurance company deny your claim unfairly.

Call Etemi Law to talk with our legal team. You should move quickly to protect your rights. We have won many workers’ compensation cases, and we have an unmatched knowledge of personal injury laws which might come into play when bringing a lawsuit. We offer a free consultation, which you can schedule by calling us today.

• Hartford Workplace Accident Lawyer