21 Oct How Personal Injury Lawyers Assist In Workplace Accident Cases
Accidents in the workplace are something that no one expects to experience, but it happens.
Shockingly, 1.5 million workers in the workplace got injured back in 2024 only. Thousands of employees each day looking for someone to support and guide them.
Workplace injuries are complicated, and no one has the right to decide what you should do.
BUT…
Truth is that a personal injury lawyer is the one who can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
If you are still not aware of some of the best working aspects of a personal injury attorney, let me guide you through what this article has.
- When To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer For Workplace Injuries
- How The Lawyer Works To Get You Maximum Compensation
- Difference Between Workers’ Comp & Personal Injury Claims
- Expectations During The Legal Process
When To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer For Workplace Injuries
Hold on!
Do you want to read something shocking?
Not all accidents at work can be easily resolved through workers’ compensation. There are certain situations where you may need to file a lawsuit to receive full and fair compensation.
The best time to call a personal injury lawyer is when you are an employee who has suffered from an injury while at work. And there are several signs that indicate that your case needs the attention of a professional attorney. For example, if you are not getting help from your HR department or if your employer is being negligent.
You can find a good Kirkland personal injury attorney online who can tell whether you have a case to file a lawsuit or not. An injury lawyer would know the kind of legal actions that are needed to get justice for your situation. If the case is simple, the attorney will solve it through the normal process. But if it needs more aggressive litigation, a good lawyer would recognize that.
Attorneys will also determine if a third party is liable. This means that if an individual other than your employer caused your workplace injuries, like a contractor or supplier, you can sue them. Personal injury attorneys know how to find all the liable parties.
How The Lawyer Works To Get You Maximum Compensation
Truth be told!
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system where the employer provides benefits to the employee if an accident happens at work. This covers your medical bills and partial lost wages.
However, workers’ compensation does not cover your pain and suffering and emotional distress. This is where your personal injury attorney comes in.
Did you know that when it comes to personal injury lawsuits, attorneys fight for every penny you deserve? The range of settlement is usually between $10,000 to $75,000, but the number of the settlement amount depends on how severe your injuries are and the details of the case.
Personal injury lawyers:
- Conduct a comprehensive investigation
- Calculate the damage
- Know how to negotiate
Truthfully, lawyers are no joke. And here is why…
Difference Between Workers’ Comp and Personal Injury Claims
One of the things that can get hard to understand by many people is how a Workers’ Compensation claim and a Personal Injury claim work. You cannot mix and match these two.
Here is how workers’ comp works:
It is a form of insurance that is provided to you by the employer. This is in case you get hurt while at work. The benefits you receive include medical expenses, partial lost wages, and sometimes even disability.
The major difference between these two is that when you file for workers’ compensation you lose your right to sue the employer. The amount of compensation is also limited.
Workers’ comp claims do not require you to prove negligence. In other words, you only need to show that you got injured while you were at work. This is how the no-fault system works.
Personal Injury Claims, on the other hand, is more of a lawsuit. You get to take the case to court. But for this, you will be required to prove negligence. Your personal injury lawyer will have to prove that someone was careless, and that is how you got hurt.
Expectations During The Legal Process
I am sure most of you want to know how the legal process of workplace injury cases take place.
The process is quite simple and straightforward. Let us look at the various stages involved.
- Initial Consultation: Most of the attorneys offer a free first-time consultation. They will review your case, inform you of your rights, and let you know if they can help or not.
- Investigation Phase: Once you have hired a lawyer, he or she will then begin investigating to get some evidence. The lawyer will;
- Get accident reports and any safety violations;
- Get medical records and opinions from medical experts;
- Obtain witness statements;
- Get employment and HR documentation;
- Take photos and video evidence.
- Demand and Negotiations: At this point, the lawyer will write a demand letter to the party liable for the accident. The insurance company of the defendant may either settle or try to negotiate a lower compensation.
- Settlement or Trial: Most cases usually get settled before the trial begins. But if you do not agree to the offers made by the insurance company then your lawyer may have to represent your case in the court of law.
Should You Get An Attorney?
You will be surprised to know that workers who hire the personal injury attorneys end up with higher settlements. This is because insurance companies understand that an attorney is always aware of the law.
Individuals that are in workplace injuries do not have to:
- Make mistakes that will cost them;
- Accept the first settlement offers that are usually low;
- Have knowledge of important deadlines;
- Become victims of the insurance company.
Most attorneys ensure that the laws are followed and that you get justice and a full recovery of your costs.
Key Takeaways
Workplace injuries, as you have read in this article, can be quite a thing. It happens more than many people would like to believe. Millions of accidents are reported each year, so it is always good to be aware of your legal rights and the steps to take.
A Personal Injury lawyer is:
- The one who will ensure that your case is strong;
- Suggest the best lawyers to hire
- Help to identify and get all the compensation you deserve;
- Negotiates with the insurance company;
- Fights for you in the courtroom if necessary.
Truth be told, workers’ compensation might not be enough in certain situations. An attorney is there to advise you on whether your injuries at work call for more compensation and why you might need it. For instance, when your employer has been grossly negligent or third-party negligence caused the accident.
When it comes to accidents in the workplace, do not leave anything to chance. Seek a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer that can advise you on your rights and ensure that you receive the necessary compensation. Remember that most of the lawyers provide a free consultation, so you have nothing to lose.
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