Have You Suffered A Machine-Related Injury At Work?

Manufacturing, construction, and industrial fields are among the most dangerous that a person can work in. Many employees in these injuries say that it’s not a question of if they will be injured, but when. Many of these injuries are caused by the large pieces of equipment and machinery that workers must use on these job sites, such as forklifts, haul trucks, cable plows, and other pieces of heavy machinery. In fact, over 6,000 employees are killed as a result of workplace machine incidents each year. Machine-related accidents are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in these sectors, with over 34,000 employees each year suffering machine-related injuries, many of whom require amputation as a result. It goes without saying that an amputated limb and other serious injuries can have long-term effects on your ability to earn a living, and can result in massive medical bills and support needs in the short term. For this reason, it is critical that you know how to get the support that you need.

Getting Workers’ Compensation for Machine-Related Injuries

If you have suffered a machine-related injury at work, there are a few factors that will determine whether you are entitled to coverage. First, you must be classified as an employee by your employer (as opposed to an independent contractor). If you are not classified as an employee, you may be able to get relief by bringing a personal injury lawsuit against your employer if they were negligent in causing the accident, however, those classified as employees are barred from bringing personal injury lawsuits due to their eligibility for workers’ compensation. In order to file a workers’ compensation claim the first step is to report the injury to your supervisor or employer as soon as possible after the accident. If you tell your employer about the accident verbally or in person, make sure to follow up with something in writing.

There is a time limit during which you have to report your injury or you lose eligibility for coverage, so it’s a problem if your employer claims you have not reported the injury after that cut-off has passed. Once your employer has moved forward by notifying their workers’ compensation insurance company, you will likely be contacted by an insurance claims adjuster to get more information on your injury. Your claim will then either be approved or denied. If your claim is denied it is not a dead end, you still have the option to appeal their decision. Denials of valid claims are also more valid than you likely think. It is likely a good time to consult with a lawyer though. A lawyer can ensure that your claim is approved and negotiate a fair settlement and benefits to cover your treatment, recovery, and injury.

Schedule a Consultation with Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia

If you have been injured in a work-related injury in Atlanta, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Cobb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Johns Creek, or Sandy Springs, the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers want to hear from you. Contact our Cobb County personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and make sure that you get the benefits and compensation that you are entitled to.

Source:

bls.gov/opub/mlr/cwc/worker-fatalities-from-being-caught-in-machinery.pdf