Raleigh Workplace Injury Lawyer Providing Guidance and Helping You Move Forward After An Accident

All North Carolina workplace accident victims deserve to speak with a compassionate attorney if they’ve become injured, suffered a disease, or experienced any other kind of accident due to the negligence of their employer. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) requires employers to maintain a safe workplace. If your employer fails to keep the conditions of your workplace as safe and free of harm as possible, you are entitled to seek compensation.

What are Commonly Occurring Types of Workplace Injuries?

Different types of workplaces pose different types of risks to employees. From construction sites riddled with hazardous elements to even the most seemingly-safe office space, anything can happen if an employer does not maintain good faith in keeping the workplace secure. Lawyers for workers compensation in Raleigh, NC see hundreds of workplace injuries, disease, and accident cases every year. If you’re unsure of what constitutes this type of case, refer to the following list:

• Slip and Fall: When workplace floors are improperly maintained, anyone can slip on wet or icy ground and suffer a bad fall. Falls are more serious than most people think and can cause injuries from broken bones to a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Struck by an Object: Being struck by an object is a commonly occurring workplace injury in workplaces such as construction sites or roadwork sites, but they can happen almost anywhere. It’s the responsibility of the workplace to ensure machinery and blunt objects are kept safely far away from workers.
• Overexertion/ Heat Exhaustion: Employers have an obligation to maintain a safe workplace. In the event that air conditioning breaks or outdoor temperatures become too hot to safely work, it’s possible an employee can suffer heat exhaustion or overexertion. If proper steps were not taken to ensure the safety of all employees, you may be entitled to compensation.
• Electrocution: Unsafe electrical system installation can injure employees and even take lives. It’s crucial that all employers use grounding and take electrical protective measures to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.
• Machinery/ Equipment Failure: Many workplaces rely on machinery to get the job done. This can range from a bulldozer or excavator to a factory press or even a company vehicle. When the machinery you use at work is in an unsafe condition, it’s the obligation of your employer to ensure that machinery is properly fixed and does not pose a risk to those who use it.
• Commonly Occurring Workplace Diseases: Asbestos Poisoning: Asbestos poisoning is a lung disease that develops when an individual inhales asbestos throughout the workday. Employers have an obligation to remove any asbestos in the workplace environment as failing to do so poses serious imminent risks.
• Toxic Chemical Poisoning: Chemical burns or chemical poisoning can occur when proper protective equipment is not distributed to employees who come in contact with these types of chemicals on the job.
• Industrial Dermatitis: If an employee’s skin comes in contact with a dangerous chemical or toxin, contact dermatitis can occur. It’s the responsibility of the employer to ensure the workplace is free of these hazards. Should contact dermatitis occur due to your employer’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for your workplace disease.
• Industrial Asthma: When an employee is exposed to airborne toxins, industrial asthma can occur. When airborne toxins are inhaled consistently throughout the workday, the effects can be extremely dangerous if not lethal.

How Can I Pay My Bills While I’m Injured and Out Of Work?

Under North Carolina state law, those injured in the workplace have a right to file for workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses due to disability. It requires filing a claim and submitting it in order to seek approval. Workers’ compensation is a valuable resource and often a lifeline for those who are too injured to return to work.

A personal injury can help you file the workers’ compensation claim as it can be a bit of a lengthy and time-consuming process. Certain medical documentation and workplace information is required, and it can be a lot to manage on your own without legal guidance. In the event that your claim is denied and you still have no income, you’ll want to work with a lawyer to begin the process of appealing this denial and getting you the compensation you deserve.

How Can an Attorney Help?

All workplace injuries, diseases, and accidents are serious. For anyone who has suffered a workplace injury of any sort, you have every right to work with a lawyer who will fight for you and discuss what legal possibilities exist for you.

If you are concerned about a workplace injury you or a loved one have suffered, contact Laura S. Jenkins, PC at (919) 846-7766 as soon as you possibly can. Our firm offers a free, no-obligation consultation to any workplace injury victim, and will work hard to ensure you feel confident in the options before you.