People depend on their jobs for purpose and economic stability. Therefore, all workers should expect to be free from the risk of workplace harm, injury, or illness. Unfortunately, some jobs, such as industrial occupations, come with unique risks, including the potential of being crushed by heavy machinery.
Unfortunately, these injuries can substantially impact every part of your life. For example, you will likely require emergency medical care to treat physical injuries. In some cases, these events can cause emotional trauma and force you to quit your job. However, you may be able to collect compensation to pay for medical care and lost wages. A Joliet crush injury lawyer is ready to help you obtain these workers’ compensation benefits.
When most people imagine a crushing injury, they assume it involves heavy machinery or equipment. However, while it is true that machines in industrial and manufacturing settings have the potential to crush people, the reality is that almost any type of worker is susceptible to crush injuries while on the job.
For example, even office workers may break bones while using a copier or after dropping a box of office supplies on their feet. Workers who use company vehicles could also endure crushing injuries in collisions. Likewise, retail employees may also suffer crushes from falling products off shelves.
The simple fact is that crushes at work are more common than we would like to think. Fortunately, if a worker can connect this incident to their performance of their job duties, they are entitled to appropriate compensation for their missing wages and medical bills. A crush injury attorney in Joliet could help connect a crush injury and work-related tasks.
State law requires employers to provide employees with workers’ compensation insurance policies. These policies can provide the payments necessary for medical care following a workplace injury. Likewise, these benefits offer partial wage reimbursement for lost income while making a recovery, even if the injury was a worker’s fault.
However, in some cases, workers’ compensation payments may not be enough to cover the full extent of an employee’s losses. Therefore, it may be possible for employees to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in addition to a worker’s comp claim. These lawsuits attempt to hold negligent third parties responsible for their behavior or even demand compensation from grossly negligent employers. A knowledgeable attorney in Joliet could explain a worker’s legal rights after an injury on the job.
If you were hurt at work, you deserve full benefits under your employer’s workers’ compensation policy. Especially after severe crushing injuries, obtaining payments for medical bills and wage reimbursement is critical to ensuring you get the medical care and rehabilitation you need.
A Joliet crush injury lawyer may be able to help you explore your legal options after a workplace injury, including taking the lead in a workers’ compensation case or pursuing a civil lawsuit on your behalf. These cases aim to provide you with proper compensation when a workplace injury leaves you unable to support yourself and your family. Contact a dedicated attorney today to learn more about job-related injuries and schedule a consultation to get started on your claim.