On the Job Injuries
Over the last several years there has been an increase in the number of workplace fatalities, which is an unfortunate fact. The number of workplace fatalities has increased by 5% since 2014, which equates to approximately 5,000 deaths every year. In addition to these tragic fatalities, nearly 3 million workers are injured because of workplace accidents every year. On the job injuries and fatalities are extremely serious and oftentimes devastating. Regardless of what industry you work in, when you go to your place of employment, you assume you will be safe and that every necessary precaution will be taken to keep it that way. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Work-related injuries and deaths occur on a regular basis for a wide range of reasons, from lack of safety procedures to negligence and distraction on the part of other workers.
What Are My Rights?
If you have been involved in a workplace accident, the first step is to report your injury to your supervisor or employer immediately. Many states have certain statutes of limitations in place that govern when you can file a lawsuit. In many cases, an accident or injury must be reported on the same day or within a few days of the incident. Due to the complicated nature of these types of cases and all the red tape involved, it is imperative you hire an experienced workplace accident lawyer. Filing a workers’ compensation claim will formally notify your employer, the court system, and your employer’s insurance company of your injury and your intentions. Once a claim is filed, there are certain steps that must be taken to ensure the process runs smoothly. This can be quite overwhelming, especially if you are recovering from injuries.
While rights afforded to injured workers vary from state to state, the following is generally the case:
- Workers have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim for any injury or illness
- Workers have the right to return to their job, should they receive approval from their physician
- Workers have the right to some form of disability compensation, should their injuries keep them from returning to work
- Workers have the right to appeal any decision made by their employer and/or their insurance company that they disagree with
- Workers have the right to legal representation
Contact Fasoro Law today and schedule a free consultation with one of the experienced workplace accident lawyers. With years of experience representing individuals who have been injured on the job, the lawyers at Fasoro Law are prepared to do the same for you today.