Atlanta Workplace Accident Attorney
Whether you slipped and badly sprained your ankle, were lacerated by a sharp object, or were struck by a motor vehicle, if it happened at work you should be covered by workers’ compensation. The accidental injury can be your fault, another party’s fault, or simple bad luck; workers’ comp is no-fault insurance available to all employees. Yet employers can make it difficult to procure. If you suffered any type of workplace accident, Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney Christine Forsythe at The Forsythe Law Firm, LLC is here to help.
What Workers’ Compensation Covers
Workers’ compensation exists for all employees, regardless of how long they have been on the job, regardless of their pay, and regardless of how many hours a week they work for their employer. Workers’ compensation is no-fault insurance that all employers with three or more employees are required to carry. It pays for partial wage replacement and full medical care if a worker gets hurt on the job, or if they develop a repetitive strain injury at work. While you do not have to prove who was at fault for causing the injury, your employer and their insurance company will probably still put up a resistance when it comes to paying for your benefits. As such, it is best to notify your employer of the injury or illness right away, then immediately seek the guidance of an attorney who can help you gather medical records, file the claim, and even appeal denied claims.
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim?
If you get injured at work or “on the clock”, you may also be able to file a personal injury claim in addition to a workers’ compensation claim, depending on who is at fault. For example, if you were hit by a driver while crossing the parking lot of your office, you would likely be able to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against that driver seeking damages that workers’ compensation would not pay for, such as pain and suffering, full lost wages, full lost earning ability due to disability, emotional distress, property damage, and loss of joy of life. A personal injury claim allows you to seek a much higher degree of compensation than a worker’s comp claim alone. However, if you file a claim against your employer, you have to prove that they acted recklessly in order to win that claim, which is a much higher degree of negligence than mere carelessness. A reckless act would be an employer cutting corners and costs by not following OSHA safety regulations, for example. In most work injury cases, an employer cannot successfully sue their employer for personal injury damages; a workers’ comp claim is typically the only option.
Call an Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
Your employer owes you partial wage replacement while you are out of work due to your injury, potential back pay for days you had to take off to let the injury heal, and full medical care for your injury, including surgery and physical therapy. Do not let this valuable resource go by. Call Atlanta workplace accident attorney Christine Forsythe at The Forsythe Law Firm, LLC. today at 404.476.2717 to schedule a free consultation.
