Every job comes with its fair share of risks. But there’s no denying that some jobs carry more than others. With these high-risk jobs, it’s important to hire a workers comp lawyer to get the best representation if the unexpected happens. To help you out, here’s everything you need to know about hiring the right worker’s compensation lawyer for at-risk jobs.
What Are At-Risk Jobs?
In this case, at-risk jobs where the chances of incurring a serious, nonfatal injury are higher than average. Every year, millions of work-related injuries occur in the US, and as a result, many workers comp claims are filed.
However, some people who work dangerous jobs don’t always realize the benefits of hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer. For instance, workers with the following jobs may, at some point or another, receive better compensation by hiring a workers comp lawyer instead of handling their own claim.
Roofing Contractors
One of the most common accidents associated with local roofing work is falling. This is not surprising given that roofers spend a lot of time working at dangerous heights, where one small slip, mistake, or miscalculation can result in a serious injury, such as trauma to the brain, limbs, and spinal cord. Besides falls, there are various other injuries that employees working for roofing contractors can suffer.
For instance, during a roof installation, workers have to carry heavy material, which puts their backs under strain and may result in injury. Roofers can also suffer from puncture wounds by accidentally stepping on nails or using a hammer or nail gun. During the summer months, overexposure to the harsh elements can result in severe sunburns and heat exhaustion, all of which add up to expensive medical bills.
Heavy Machine Operators
The operation of heavy machinery is essential in many industries, like mining, manufacturing, and agriculture. But, this exposes many employees to a higher risk of injury. For instance, employees who provide forklift service typically suffer from whiplash injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, and lower back injuries associated with vibrations, prolonged sitting, and repetitive movements.
Similarly, employees who operate cranes, bulldozers, hoists, and loaders can suffer from many injuries, including amputation, brain injuries, internal injuries, and broken bones. Getting injured in a heavy machinery accident can put you out of work for a long time or permanently. In any case, you’ll require adequate financial compensation to increase your quality of life.
Building Construction
Employees that work for commercial contractors, HVAC contractors, electrical contractors, patio contractors, and other types of building contractors are at risk of various accidents, such as falling from scaffolding or other heights, slips, trips, falls, injuries from falling objects, and electrocution. In a nutshell, construction and building sites are dangerous places that expose employees to serious risks of injuries on the job. If you have been injured on the job, you must understand your rights and take the necessary action to receive the compensation you deserve.
Auto Body Work
The auto body industry employs many people who are also exposed to a wide range of hazards. For instance, employees who provide auto body repair services often suffer from mechanical injuries due to the type of equipment they use every day. Equipment like winches and compressors can lead to crushed limbs and deep cuts.
Employees also suffer from repetitive motion injuries. When you keep putting a part of your body under repeated physical stress, this can lead to tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other serious complications. Additionally, employees in the auto body industry are at risk of slips, falls, and back injuries from heavy lifting.
Road Construction
Road construction injuries can be particularly serious because they often involve pedestrian workers getting injured by vehicles.
Even employees at concrete cutting companies are at risk of getting injured on the job, usually from defective saws, lack of safety guards, and improper usage. The risk of injuries increases significantly if employers don’t take steps to ensure safety during all steps of the construction process. In case of injury, having an experienced worker’s comp attorney to represent you is crucial.
Injuries Can Happen On the Job Any Time, Anywhere
So, we’ve outlined some examples of at-risk jobs and the common types of injuries that can arise. The truth is, injuries can happen at any time with any job, though the risk is greater or smaller with other jobs. Besides the examples mentioned above, there’s a long list of dangerous jobs that employees perform daily, including truck driving, landscaping, and even sales work. The important thing is to assess the risk you face daily and consider the necessity of hiring a workers comp attorney to represent you in case of a work-related injury.
To find out how potentially dangerous your workplace is, look at the common types of accidents that occur. Usually, a workplace is high-risk if the employees are likely to encounter injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls. These are especially dangerous if you’re working from great heights. Other common injuries associated with dangerous occupations include muscle strain, repetitive strain injuries, collisions, cuts, and injuries caused by falling objects, hazardous materials, loud music, and other dangerous materials.
There’s no shortage of what can cause workplace-related injuries, which is why a worker’s comp attorney’s work is never done. You can’t always avoid getting injured at work, but you can make the best of a difficult situation by helping to ensure the best outcome when you hire the right attorney to represent you.
When Should You Hire A Workers Comp Attorney?
It’s not all times that you’ll need to hire a workers comp lawyer. Typically, you won’t encounter any issues with your claim if everything is straightforward. Insurance companies usually pay out claims without disputing if the injuries are clearly work-related and if the injuries are not serious.
However, if the insurance company disputes your claim, then it’s in your best interest to hire a lawyer. One of the most common reasons why you may not receive the compensation you deserve is if the insurance company claims that your injuries are not work-related. In that case, it’s up to you to appeal the decision by filing more paperwork and gathering the evidence you need to prove that your claim was denied unfairly.
Sometimes, the insurance company may not deny your claims, but then you may feel that the compensation you received was not enough. In that case, you can hire a worker’s comp attorney to help you negotiate with the insurer. It’s normal for insurers to resist paying out large claims because it’s not profitable, but you can fight back by having the best legal representation to back you up. If your injuries have resulted in hefty medical bills and a significant amount of lost wages, there’s no reason why you should settle for less than what you’re owed.
How to Find The Right Workers Comp Attorney to Represent You
If you have been involved in an accident at work and sustained injuries, you’re probably looking for the best accident lawyers. However, finding the right workers comp attorney isn’t as cut and dried as it looks, and you may not know where to start. Here’s what you need to know before you begin your search for the right workers comp attorney for your needs.
Get Recommendations From The Right Places
When searching for the right workers comp lawyer, your best bet is to narrow down your options, and you can do this by looking for recommendations from reputable sources. Start by asking your family, friends, or anyone within your circle. There’s a good chance you’ll come across someone who successfully filed a workers compensation claim with the help of a reputable and experienced attorney. The internet is also a rich source of reliable recommendations if you know where to look.
You can find a wealth of information by simply visiting the websites of various firms and looking at testimonials and whether or not there’s useful information that indicates a high level of experience. While you’re still searching for recommendations, it doesn’t hurt to check with state and local bar associations to find out which firms in your area specialize in workers com law.
Check For Qualification And Experience
Once you have narrowed down your options, it’s time to take an even closer look at the remaining options. More specifically, you want to know what makes them qualified to help you. It’s important that your attorney specializes in workers comp law rather than being vaguely familiar with this area of law. You want to make sure you’re dealing with someone that knows what they are talking about. But, knowing the ins and outs of workers’ comp law isn’t enough. It also helps if your attorney has considerable experience handling similar cases to yours.
Do they have a track record of success with cases like yours, specifically, the type of injury you’re dealing with? The more your attorney specializes in workers comp law, the better your chances of filing a successful claim. Don’t just take your attorney at face value. There’s nothing wrong with asking your attorney for the names of former clients they have successfully represented. These references can then give you a more accurate idea of what to expect when dealing with that particular lawyer.
Assess The Level Of Customer Service
When you first contact a particular firm to talk with one of their workers comp lawyers, it’s easy to assess the level of customer service they are likely to offer you. The right worker’s comp attorney should be friendly, professional, and easy to communicate with. They should also be open to answering any questions you may have without sounding hurried or distracted. This shows that they are capable of focusing on your case and giving it all the attention it deserves. In addition, your attorney should have an equally experienced support staff so that at times when you’re asked to deal with a paralegal or a legal assistant on some minor issue, you’ll still feel confident that they know what they are doing.
Benefits of Hiring The Right Workers Comp Lawyer
If you have an at-risk job, there are many benefits that come with hiring the right workers comp lawyer. Below we take a look at some of the top benefits.
They Have Your Best Interests At Heart
The right attorney is dedicated to offering the best service for their clients to establish a good track record. That means they will do whatever it takes to secure the best outcome for you. For instance, your attorney will help you gather enough evidence to get all the benefits you deserve. They will also put a lot of effort into negotiating the best settlement agreement for you. They will understand how much your case is worth and will make every effort to ensure you receive the right amount of benefits. Otherwise, without their negotiating expertise, your employer’s insurance company might try to give you a low-ball offer that’s not in your best interest.
They Help You Navigate Workers Comp Law
Sometimes a workers comp case can be simple, and filing a claim is easy. But in some instances, you might find yourself dealing with a complex case that requires a workers comp attorney and their expert advice. Having someone who’s familiar with how workers comp law works means you can navigate various processes and steps more efficiently. They will explain in detail what each step entails and will give you valuable insights on the best way to achieve your goals.
They Help Ensure A Better Outcome
When you hire an attorney, you’re giving yourself a better chance at winning your case. It’s very likely that the other party has an experienced lawyer representing them. So you also need the best legal representation you can get to protect your rights. This is especially crucial if you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, but your claim has been denied. You may be tempted to appeal on your own, but this can quickly motivate you to give up when faced with the complex system of appeals. In that case, all you have to do is hire the right attorney and let them do what they do best.
To conclude, if your job is high-risk, you may not always see the importance of hiring a workers comp attorney. But if you sustain workplace-related injuries, hiring the right attorney can have a huge difference in the outcome of your case. Review the information above to help you find the right workers comp attorney. That way, you can experience several benefits, chief among them the chances of a better outcome and getting the compensation you deserve.