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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 unable to work due to an injury or illness that took place at work in Dallas, you might be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury occurs, you might find yourself missing out on paychecks, accumulating medical bills, and being overwhelmed with paperwork. This can be a very stressful and uncertain time.
Fortunately, Texas law protects workers from negative fallout related to job injuries by requiring employers to carry workers compensation insurance.
What is Workers’ Compensation and How Does It Work?
Workers' compensation is a form of insurance that is purchased by an employer to protect their workers from job-related injuries and illness. It offers a safety net for injured employees to ensure they are not left with no job and no money while trying to recover from an injury. Some jobs can be dangerous, and it shouldn't be the responsibility of the worker to handle all the repercussions that come with an injury.
Under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act, people that are injured on the job can receive various types 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 job-related incident. However, injured employees can not recover compensation for damages normally granted 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 on the job. This includes:
Overexertion and Repetitive Motion Injuries
Overexertion injuries can occur when a worker uses excessive physical effort to do a task and gets hurt. This includes lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying, or throwing.
Repetitive motion caused by stress or strain on some part of the body is due to 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 account for 25% of annual injury cases, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Falls at work 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 worker is hit by something or bumps into something. This can include a worker being struck by a moving object, running into or being pushed in front of an object, being crushed in equipment, or being caught in cable or rope. It might also include incidents like an employee being struck or crushed by collapsing structures, equipment, or materials.
Workers' Compensation Can Also Cover Occupational Illnesses
Along with being injured, employees can also get sick with an illness due to their job. When this occurs, workers compensation insurance is designed to help cover some of the expenses.
Work-related illnesses include diseases that develop from dangerous work environments or workplace exposures. Some common illnesses that occur at work include:
Situations involving job-related illness are complex for a number of different factors. One of the main reasons is that you will have to prove that your illness was caused by your job, and not from some other factor like genetics or something that happened during your personal time. This is even more complicated by the fact that several illnesses develop gradually, which makes them more difficult to notice and to pinpoint the origin.
What Should I Do if I Am Injured at Work?
If you become hurt in the course of your employment, you should always report the accident, injury, or illness as soon as possible to your employer. This is essential even if an injury appears minor. This, because injuries that seem minor in the beginning can end up being much more serious in the coming days or weeks.
For instance, an injury that might seem like just a strained muscle can end up being a symptom of long-term nerve damage. Or a sore low back from lifting a heavy object could be a disc herniation that needs surgery.
Furthermore, you should always have a job-related injury examined by a doctor. 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. Here, making changes in the ergonomic environment might 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 his or her job.
Finally, waiting too long to report an injury at work may seize your right to claim any workers' compensation benefits.
Should You Get In Touch with a Dallas Workers' Compensation Lawyer?
Consequently, if sustain an on-the-job injury in Dallas, consult with the Dallas personal injury lawyers at Dunk Law Firm. Don't go through these tough times on your own. We are here to assist you with your claim. We know the causes and impacts of job accidents and injuries. Additionally, we know the laws and regulations related to workers' compensation in Texas and will work to maximize the compensation you receive.
