Hurt at Work? What To Do When Injured on the Job | Belt, Bruner & Barnett P.C.

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Hurt at Work? What To Do When Injured on the Job

Sep 02, 2021 | Workplace accidents

The last place you expect to suffer a catastrophic injury is at work. But when you’re injured in a work accident, you may deserve compensation. Your life has likely been affected by your injuries in more ways than one. These types of insurance and civil claims can be complex.

With an experienced Birmingham work injury lawyer by your side, you can rest easier knowing they will guide you through the process.

Get a Legal Advocate on Your Side

It can be challenging to figure out what your first steps should be after being injured at work. Before anything else, you need to be deemed medically stable by a healthcare provider. Your next call should be made to a work injury lawyer in Birmingham. You will need to explore your legal options further to protect yourself and your family.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

For example, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits through your employer’s insurer. But you may also be able to recover compensation through a civil claim. Those responsible for your work injuries should cover your losses. Your attorney will be able to recruit experts to investigate your claim and determine negligence for the liable parties.

Determining Fault in Your Work Injury Case

After you have retained legal help, your lawyer will begin to investigate. To win your civil claim, your lawyer will need to prove another party liable for your injuries. For work injuries, there may be multiple parties who contributed to the accident.

Some of the various parties who are commonly found liable in work accidents include:

  • Colleagues
  • Supervisors
  • Your manager
  • Other staff
  • Your employer
  • Equipment manufacturers
  • Equipment suppliers
  • Other third parties

Fault Depends on the Details of Your Case

How your accident occurred will largely determine which parties are found guilty. For example, let’s say you drive for a living and are injured in a car accident. You would likely file a claim against the person responsible for causing your accident.

But what if you were harmed in a construction accident due to faulty machinery? In that case, there could be multiple at-fault parties, including the equipment manufacturer and your employer. Your attorney’s in-depth analysis of the details of your case will determine which parties should be held accountable in your civil claim.

Go After Full Compensation for Your Work Injury

We previously mentioned that you might be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits. These include coverage of your medical expenses and injury benefits. The injury benefits are meant to replace a portion of your income. But those are generally the only benefits work injury victims receive.

You have the right to be repaid for every loss. Your civil work injury claim gives you that chance.

Some other types of economic and non-economic damages you could recover include:

  • The remaining lost wages
  • Future medical expenses and equipment
  • Skin scarring
  • Loss of limbs
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Lost earning potential
  • Loss of household services
  • Nuisance
  • Emotional distress
  • Physical pain
  • Damage to your professional reputation
  • Loss of comfort and support

Punitive Damages

It should also be mentioned that you could be awarded punitive damages. The civil courts in Alabama have the authority to award punitive damages. In addition to your entitled damages, punitive damages punish liable parties for gross negligence.

Contact a Work Injury Lawyer in Birmingham

Work injuries can have a dramatic impact on your life. Make the person or party who harmed you pay for their negligence. Seek maximum compensation for your damages. Get help from an experienced Birmingham work injury lawyer at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C.

Our firm proudly offers free case reviews to injury victims across Birmingham and surrounding cities. Claim yours when you call our office at 205-2933-1500. Or fill out our convenient contact form. We’ll reach out to you to further discuss the details of your work-related injury.