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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 as a result of an injury or illness that happened on the job in Galveston, you might be qualified for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury occurs, you may find yourself losing out on paychecks, accumulating medical bills, and being overwhelmed with paperwork. This can be an extremely stressful and uncertain time.
Thankfully, Texas law protects workers from negative fallout related to job 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 a company to protect their employees from job-related injuries and illness. It offers a safety net for injured employees so that they are not left with no job and no money while trying to recuperate from an injury. Some jobs can be dangerous, and it should not be the responsibility of the worker to handle all the consequences that come with an injury.
Under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act, individuals that are hurt at work can receive various kinds of financial support to cover their injury-related expenses. This includes:
Unlike a personal injury case, workers can qualify for benefits regardless of being at fault for a work-related incident. However, injured workers can not recover compensation for damages normally awarded in a personal injury case.
Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
The top three leading causes of job-related injuries account for more than 84% of all nonfatal injuries at work. This includes:
Overexertion and Repetitive Motion Injuries
Overexertion injuries can occur when a worker uses excessive physical effort to do a task and becomes injured. 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 make up 25% of annual injury cases, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Falls on the job involve falling from slippery floors, from tripping, and from heights like ladders, roofs, scaffolding, or various other structures.
Injuries from Contact with Equipment and Objects
Contact with equipment and objects refers to injuries that happen when a person is hit by something or runs into something. This can include a worker being hit 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' Comp May Also Cover Occupational Illnesses
Along with being hurt, employees can also get sick with an illness due to their job. When this happens, workers compensation insurance is designed to help cover some of the expenses.
Job-related illnesses include diseases that develop from hazardous work environments or workplace exposures. Some common illnesses that occur on the job include:
Cases involving work-related illness are complicated for a number of different reasons. One of the main reasons is that you will have to prove that your illness was caused by your job, and not from any other factor like genetics or something that happened during your personal time. This is further complicated by the fact that many illnesses develop gradually, which makes them harder to recognize and to determine the origin.
What Should I Do if I Am Injured at Work?
If you become injured during your employment, you should always report the incident, injury, or condition as soon as possible to your employer. This is necessary even if an injury appears minor. This, because injuries that appear small initially can become much more severe in the coming days or weeks.
For instance, an injury that might feel like only a strained muscle can turn out to be a symptom of long-term nerve damage. Or a sore lower back from lifting a heavy object could be a disc herniation that requires surgery.
Further, you should always have a work-related injury examined 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 particularly important for stress or repetitive motion injuries. In this case, making changes in the ergonomic environment may not only cure the injury, but help to prevent injuries to others. Further, to protect the long-term ability of an employee to maintain and continue in their job.
Lastly, waiting too long to report an injury on the job might foreclose your right to claim any kind of workers' compensation benefits.
Should You Get In Touch with a Galveston Workplace Injury Lawyer?
Consequently, if sustain an on-the-job injury in Galveston, consult with the Galveston personal injury lawyers at Dunk Law Firm. Do not go through these hard times alone. We are here to assist you with your case. We know the causes and effects of work accidents and injuries. Also, we understand the laws and regulations related to workers' compensation in Texas and will work to make the most of the compensation you receive.
