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At Dunk Law Firm, we truly care about each and every one of our clients. We know that being involved in an unexpected accident or losing a loved one in a tragic incident is overwhelming. We're here to help.
MEET THE TEAMcontact usIf you are not able to work because of an injury or illness that happened at work in Beaumont, you may be qualified for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury occurs, you might find yourself losing out on paychecks, accumulating medical bills, and being overwhelmed with paperwork. This can be a very difficult and uncertain time.
Thankfully, Texas law protects workers from negative fallout related to work injuries by requiring companies to carry workers compensation insurance.
What is Workers’ Compensation and How Does It Work?
Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that is purchased by an employer to protect their workers from job-related injuries and illness. It offers a safeguard for injured employees so that they are not left with no job and no money while trying to recover from an injury. Some jobs can be dangerous, and it shouldn't be the responsibility of the worker to handle all the consequences that come with an injury.
Under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act, people who are injured at work can get different types of financial support to cover their injury-related expenses. This includes:
Unlike a personal injury claim, workers can qualify for benefits despite being at fault for a work-related incident. However, injured employees can not recover compensation for damages typically awarded in a personal injury claim.
Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
The top three leading causes of work-related injuries account for more than 84% of all nonfatal injuries on the job. This includes:
Overexertion and Repetitive Motion Injuries
Overexertion injuries can happen when a worker uses excessive physical effort to do a job and gets hurt. This includes lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying, or throwing.
Repetitive motion triggered by stress or strain on some part of the body is because of the repetitive nature of the job. Common repetitive tasks include lifting boxes, typing on a computer, using a ten-key machine, sitting for long hours, and working on an assembly line.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are one of the most frequent on-the-job injuries. They account for 25% of yearly injury cases, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Falls on the job include falling from slippery floors, from tripping, and from heights like ladders, roofs, scaffolding, or other structures.
Injuries from Contact with Equipment and Objects
Contact with equipment and objects refers to injuries that happen when a person is struck by something or bumps into something. This can include a worker being struck by a moving object, bumping into or being pushed in front of an object, being crushed in equipment, or being caught in wire or rope. It might also include incidents like a worker being struck or crushed by collapsing structures, equipment, or materials.
Workers' Compensation Can Also Cover Occupational Illnesses
Along with being injured, employees can also get sick with an illness due to their job. When this occurs, workers compensation insurance is designed to help cover some of the costs.
Occupational illnesses include diseases that develop from dangerous work environments or workplace exposures. Some common illnesses that occur on the job include:
Cases involving occupational illness are complex for a few different factors. One of the main reasons is that you will have to prove that your illness was caused by your job, and not from some other factor like genetics or something that occurred during your personal time. This is further complicated by the fact that many illnesses develop gradually, which makes them harder to notice and to identify the origin.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured on the Job?
If you get injured in the course of your employment, you should always report the accident, injury, or illness as soon as possible to your employer. This is essential even if an injury appears minor. This, because injuries that appear minor initially can become much more severe in the coming days or weeks.
For instance, an injury that may feel like only a strained muscle can end up being a symptom of permanent nerve damage. Or a sore lower back from lifting a heavy object could be a disc herniation that needs surgery.
Further, you should always have a work-related injury evaluated by a medical professional. This is the only way to find out the extent of your injury, and what can be done to recuperate. This is especially important for stress or repetitive motion injuries. In this case, making changes in the ergonomic environment may not only heal the injury, but help to prevent injuries to others. Furthermore, to protect the long-term ability of an employee to keep and continue in their job.
Finally, waiting too long to report an injury at work may seize your right to claim any workers' compensation benefits.
Should You Get In Touch with a Beaumont Workplace Accident Attorney?
Consequently, if you suffer an on-the-job injury in Beaumont, speak to the Beaumont personal injury lawyers at Dunk Law Firm. Don't go through these hard times on your own. We are here to assist you with your claim. We understand the causes and impacts of job accidents and injuries. Also, we know the laws and regulations related to workers' compensation in Texas and will work to make the most of the compensation you receive.
