If you’ve been hurt on the job, you may be entitled to compensation and benefits to help you recover. Contact our Florence workers’ comp attorneys at Mama Justice today to help with your case!
Every year, more than 33,800 people suffer non-fatal workplace injuries or illnesses in the state of Alabama. These incidents often force victims out of work and require them to undergo extensive medical care. Dealing with a workplace injury is not only physically exhausting, but the mental and emotional impacts are significant as well.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, those harmed may be able to recover compensation and other relief under workers’ compensation laws in Alabama.
If you are interested in pursuing a workers’ compensation case following an accident on-the-job, our Florence workers’ comp lawyers at Mama Justice are here for you.
Over the years, we have helped numerous injured workers get the medical treatment they need, lost wages, and various other benefits after being harmed at work. We provide exceptional legal services that you can depend on to protect your legal rights.
If you are interested in pursuing an Alabama workers’ compensation claim, contact our law firm today to get started.
Workers’ Compensation Laws in Alabama
Under state law, if you suffered an on-the-job injury, you may have legal options available to help cover the lost wages you endure as well as various other benefits.
In general, the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act states that employers who have at least five full or part-time employees must provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage in case people are harmed during the course of their employment as well as those who have developed an occupational disease.
These laws generally do not provide coverage to farm laborers, domestic workers, or workers who are hired outside the usual course of business. However, employers are able to purchase policies to cover these employees if they choose to, but they are not required to do so by law.
In Alabama, workers’ compensation operates on a no-fault system. As a result, insurance can provide a remedy to employees who are harmed within the scope of their employment. Employees do not need to establish that their employer was responsible for the resulting injury or damages.
Workers’ compensation claims can help to ensure you receive everything that you are entitled to after your accident. Seek the assistance of our Florence workers’ compensation attorney at Mama Justice to get started on your case.
Who is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in Alabama
If you are hurt while on the job and your employer is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, you may be entitled to compensation and other coverage.
In order to qualify for relief under workers’ compensation laws, you must meet the following qualifications:
- Your employer must be required to provide workers’ compensation ensure or has elected to do so.
- The incident leading up to the injury must have been an unforeseen and unexpected workplace accident.
- You suffered injuries while actively performing a job-related task that is within the scope of your employment.
- You notified your employer of the incident and of the injury sustained.
- You filed a claim in an appropriate amount of time.
There are some circumstances where you will not be entitled to workers’ compensation coverage. In general, you will not qualify for this coverage if you suffered an injury as a result of your own willful misconduct. If your misconduct was a contributing factor in your accident and resulting injuries, you will not be able to pursue a claim for workers’ compensation.
Additionally, your claim for workers’ compensation may also be denied if you ignored the regulations set by your employer or refused to use and implement property safety precautions.
If you suffered a personal injury during the course of your employment, you may be able to recover compensation, healthcare, and more.
Working with the Florence workers’ compensation attorneys at Mama Justice will ensure you have the best chances of receiving the coverage you rightfully deserve.
Most Common Types of Workplace Accidents
There is an unfortunate variety of accidents that can take place during the course of a person’s employment. Being involved in an on-the-job accident can have life-changing consequences. Fortunately, some injured parties may have legal options available to help them as they work on their recovery.
Most injured employees are unable to work after suffering a serious on the job accident making paying everyday bills for living expenses very difficult. For that reason, it’s important to talk to lawyer about your accident to determine the best course of action you can take to get the compensation you will need as you heal from your workplace injury.
Some of the most common causes of workplace injuries include:
- Construction accidents
- Car accidents
- Heavy machinery accidents
- Industrial accidents
- Chemical exposures
- Contact with objects
- In-between accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Violence
- Electrocution incidents
- Burn accidents
It is important to understand that no two on-the-job accidents are completely alike. Each of these accident types can result in a multitude of injuries for sufferers.
Workplace Accidents Can Cause Physical Pain and Suffering
Tens of thousands of people are harmed on the job every year in the state of Alabama. There are a variety of injuries that victims can suffer, each presenting unique challenges to victims. A lot of people who are injured at work are unable to return to work for several weeks or even months. Depending on the type and severity of injuries sustained, victims may be forced out of work indefinitely.
Some of the most common injuries that our Florence workers’ compensation attorneys help victims recover from include:
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Disfigurements
- Permanent scarring
- Loss of limbs
- Respiratory injury
- Soft tissue and neck injuries
- Burn injury
- Paralysis
- Head injury
- Chemical exposure injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
In addition to being injured, nearly 100 people suffer fatal injuries at work every year in our state.
If you suffered an on-the-job injury, you may be entitled to compensation and other benefits to help you move forward.
Seeking the assistance of a Florence workers’ compensation lawyer at your earliest convenience will ensure you get everything that you are entitled to.
How Workers’ Compensation Benefits Help Those Injured on the Job
If you suffered a personal injury while at work, you may be entitled to compensation and various types of coverage and services that can help you move forward.
Medical Benefits: Alabama workers’ comp laws allow injured parties to get the medical treatment they need at no cost to them. These medical benefits provide full coverage for various medical expenses, including those related to:
- Surgery
- Outpatient procedures
- Medical supplies
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
In addition, medical benefits also cover the costs of transportation to appointments and various other costs related to care. The workers’ comp insurance carrier is able to control where you go to seek medical care. However, they will generally provide injured parties with a list of pre-authorized physicians and medical groups. If you seek medical services from a provider that is not on the list, you may have to cover the costs of care on your own.
If you suffer the debilitating consequences of a workplace accident, you may be able to receive lifetime medical benefits. This coverage will provide you with relief from all medical bills now and in the future related to the workplace injury sustained.
Compensatory Awards: In addition to medical coverage, personal injury claims can help victims recover compensation to help alleviate the impact of lost wages. Alabama workers’ compensation pays injured parties who suffer a personal injury on the job a percentage of their salary. This is to ensure those harmed are able to tend to their financial obligations as they undergo medical care and recover from their injuries.
In general, the amount of compensation you receive for your workplace personal injury case is limited to up to 66.66% of your weekly earnings. This amount is payable for up to 500 weeks following the date of your accident.
There are various ways that workers’ can collect monetary benefits through workers’ compensation cases. These include:
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): The amount of compensation that is available for these benefits is capped at two-thirds of their average weekly wages. TPD benefits are provided to victims who suffer from a condition that renders them able to return to work in some capacity. However, not to the duties performed when the incident occurred.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): These workers’ compensation benefits are available for people who are harmed on the job. These benefits provide up to two-thirds of their average weekly wages during their time off work. Once the employee’s condition improves, they will be determined to be at the Maximum Medical Improvement phase (MMI) and able to return to work.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) or Permanent Total Disability (PTD): If a worker suffers a condition that is permanent in nature and prevents them from returning to work, they may be entitled to money to alleviate their lost wages. Both temporary and partial disability benefits are capped under Alabama workers’ comp laws.
Death Benefits: When employees lose their lives on the job, their families may be able to recover compensation to help alleviate the impact of lost earnings. These death benefits are available for up to 500 weeks after the date that the victim passed away. In the event that the worker has no dependents, the estate may be eligible for up to $6,500 in a lump sum. A workers’ comp attorney in Florence can help you collect the money and benefits you deserve after losing a loved one.
Working with a Florence workers comp attorney who is knowledgeable on handling workers’ compensation insurance claims can ensure you have the best chances of getting everything that you are entitled to for your workers’ compensation case.
Third-Party Liability after a Workplace Accident
In addition to pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, victims may be able to take legal action against a third party. Filing a personal injury lawsuit allows you to seek damages from an at-fault party.
In general, a third-party claim can be filed under various circumstances, including cases where:
- Your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance
- You suffered as a result of a third party that is not your direct employer
- Your employer engaged in actions that were intended to cause you direct harm
A third-party lawsuit can help you obtain compensation for various damages. Some recoverable damages include compensation for:
- Loss of potential earnings
- Medical bills
- Disfigurements and permanent scarring
- Loss of quality of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
It is important to know that there are various instances where you may be able to file a claim for workers’ compensation as well as file a third-party lawsuit. A skilled workers’ compensation attorney will be able to review the circumstances surrounding your accident and determine the best course of action moving forward.
Contact our law firm today to get started on your personal injury claim. Our Florence workers’ compensation attorneys can schedule a free consultation at your earliest convenience to discuss your case.
Mama Justice is Committed to Helping Those Injured
Unlike other lawyers, our Alabama workers’ compensation lawyers at Mama Justice will stand by your side throughout the entire claims process to ensure you get the maximum amount of compensation and other coverage for your claim. We will fight to ensure you recover the full coverage that you are legally entitled to after an on-the-job incident.
Our goal is to help you get the medical care you need and the money you deserve so you can focus on recovering after being harmed without worry. Our lawyers offer a free consultation to people who are injured while on the job in Florence and throughout the state of Alabama in taking legal action.
Contact our Alabama workers’ comp attorneys today to get started on your workers’ compensation claim. Our law firm can meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss your case during a free consultation. Contact our Florence workers’ compensation lawyer today at (662) 262-6264 to protect your legal rights.
We stand by every attorney-client relationship we have and are committed to fighting to ensure our clients get justice.