Hickory Workers Compensation Lawyer

Hickory Workers Compensation Attorney

Every day, thousands of employees across the state of North Carolina sustain injuries while at their place of employment. Some of these injuries can require serious and expensive medical care, and the victim may find that they are unable to return to work because of the extent of their injuries. If you suffered harm at the workplace and are out of work, a Hickory workers’ compensation lawyer can offer legal support in filing a claim for necessary benefits.

While the workers’ compensation claim process may seem relatively straightforward, it can, in reality, be extremely complicated and confusing, especially for those who have no experience dealing with the system. The unfortunate truth is that many folks will find it extremely difficult to file a claim with their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, and many even find that their initial claim is denied. In these situations, a skilled Hickory workers compensation lawyer from Roberts Law Firm, P.A. can provide essential help.

Roberts Law Firm, P.A., Can Help You After You Experience a Work Injury

If you or a loved one has recently suffered a workplace injury in Hickory, North Carolina, the team at Roberts Law Firm, P.A., is here to help. We have countless years of experience and resources at our back to assist you in filing your initial claim and appealing any denial of benefits you might face. Some industries carry more risks than others, but almost anyone runs the risk of becoming injured at work. If you experience a workplace injury, we are ready to help you in any way we can.

Common Accidents That Happen in the Workplace

To become eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in North Carolina, your injury or illness must have occurred during the course of your employment while you were performing the necessary duties of your job. If you were injured while coming or going from work or while running a personal errand on a meal break, you likely would not be eligible to receive benefits.

In most cases, workers’ compensation is designed to operate as a no-fault system, meaning that it does not matter exactly how the injury occurred. Whether you were injured because of the negligence of another or no negligence at all, you should be able to apply for benefits. There are, however, certain exceptions to this rule, such as in the case where the injury occurred because of the fact you were engaging in horseplay or were drunk or under the influence of drugs on the job.

Some of the most common accidents that occur in the workplace can include:

• Slips, trips, and falls. Almost every workplace has the potential for employees to suffer a slip, trip, or fall. From dangerous construction sites to walking into the office, there are numerous ways you might become the victim of this kind of workplace accident. The most common causes of these accidents include uncleared ice or snow, standing water, slick or uneven surfaces, inadequate or missing lighting, handrails, or safety guards.
• Crushing or pinning accidents. Though these accidents are more common on construction or industrial sites, crushing or pinning accidents can be serious and cause harm to almost any kind of employee. These accidents might occur when an individual is caught between pieces of equipment or finds themselves crushed or pinned in heavy machinery, like in the case of warehouse or assembly line workers.
• Being struck by an object. There is virtually not a single worksite immune from these types of accidents. Whether the object falls from shelving or scaffolding, or is being swung through the air, such as in the case of a wrecking ball at a construction or demolition site, being struck by an object can cause severe and even fatal injuries to victims.
• Explosions or fires. An explosion or fire can happen at virtually any job site but is most common in warehouses, on assembly lines, or at construction or industrial sites. Fires and explosions can cause horrific injuries and disfigurement, and if they are severe enough, they can lead to death. There are many causes for these devastating accidents, including hazardous chemicals, exposed wiring, and other forms of electrical work.
• Hazardous material exposure. Being exposed to hazardous material can cause terrible injuries but may also cause illness or disease later in life as the exposure gradually harms your bodily functions. These materials can include asbestos, chemical sprays, carbon monoxide, lead, mercury, benzene, flammable liquids, compressed gasses, and bloodborne infections or pathogens in a healthcare setting.
• Work vehicle accidents. If you are required to drive or operate an industrial vehicle for your job, there is also the chance you may become involved in a serious accident and can qualify for workers’ compensation. If the injury occurred on the roadway and was the result of another driver’s negligence or recklessness, like in the case of a drunk driver, you may have the ability to file a personal injury claim for additional compensation.

How the Team at Roberts Law Firm, P.A., Can Support You

For over 40 years, the team at Roberts Law Firm, P.A., has been assisting the victims of work-related injuries to receive the benefits they deserve through workers’ compensation. We understand how terrifying it can be to suffer an injury or illness at work and are passionate about securing compensation so that you can rest and recover without having to worry about where your next paycheck will come from or how you will afford the medical bills.

When you work with our firm, we can help you obtain benefits by taking the following actions in your claims case:

• Filing your claim. If you become injured at work, the very first step you will need to take is notifying your employer of the accident and your resulting injury. You will then need to file the necessary claim paperwork, which can prove challenging for individuals who have never experienced this before and our team can help you fill out the paperwork correctly and file it through the proper channels.
• Gathering necessary evidence. In order to secure workers’ compensation benefits, you will need strong evidence with which to back your claim. This can include medical evidence like bills, records, visit summaries, eyewitness testimony, and several other forms of possible evidence. The attorneys at Roberts Law Firm, P.A., can assist in gathering this evidence for you.
• Negotiating with insurance companies. Once your claim has been officially filed, your employer’s insurance company will most likely try to offer you a lowball settlement amount in hopes you will take it merely out of desperation. Don’t fall for this ploy. Instead, allow us to negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement amount to cover all the damages you have received because of your work injury.
• Filing an appeal. If your initial workers’ compensation claim is denied, you have the right to file an appeal. A workers’ compensation attorney can review the details of your original claim and determine what might have gone wrong in order for it to be denied. They can then help you file your appeal and represent you throughout this process.
• Court representation. In some cases, a workers’ compensation claim may need to go to trial. This is very seldom the case, but if this occurs, it is likely because of the fact that your employer’s insurance company continues to refuse to give you your benefits even after a lengthy appeals process has been exhausted. The attorneys at Roberts Law Firm, P.A., can represent you and your interest in court should the need arise.

Injuries Commonly Seen in Workplace Accidents

At Roberts Law Firm, P.A., we have handled countless kinds of workers’ compensation claims, including various injuries suffered by our clients. The most common injuries we have seen due to a workplace accident in Hickory, North Carolina, include the following:

• Neck, back, and spine injuries. When an injury is sustained to one of these integral areas of the body, it can cause devastating harm and even fatalities. You may suffer chronic pain, partial or complete paralysis, reduced lifting ability, and a decreased range of motion.
• Head and traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can be difficult to treat and often come with the highest degree of severity and even death. Brain damage injuries may require long-term care and can often result in losing your ability to work for the foreseeable future.
• Repetitive motion injuries. When your job requires you to take part in the same motion every day, over and over, you can gradually begin to suffer certain repetitive motion injuries. These tasks might include typing or assembly line work and can result in medical conditions such as chronic pain, carpal tunnel, herniated discs, and rotator cuff injuries.
• Torn or pulled muscles. While soft tissue damage generally heals over time, it can still cause you to be unable to work, and without the necessary treatment, it may cause you to need surgery in the future. You may also experience a decrease in your flexibility or range of motion.
• Knee, wrist, shoulder, and other joint injuries. The joints of your body are especially vulnerable to injuries, especially when working a physically demanding job. Treatment may necessitate surgery or physical therapy in order for you to regain the use of the affected body part.
• Vision or hearing loss. Certain jobs may run the risk of vision or hearing loss. These injuries can cause permanent disabilities, and the need for workers’ compensation benefits will be great.

Benefits Available Through Workers’ Compensation

If you are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits through your employer’s insurance in North Carolina, there are several kinds of compensation you may be able to receive based on the nature and severity of your injury.

These forms of compensation are intended to help you ease the financial burden of being out of work while recovering from an injury and dealing with any medical bills that may be flowing due to necessary treatment. The most common forms of benefits include:

• Medical costs. If you suffer an injury at work, you may be entitled to receive compensation for any medical expenses you incur for the treatment of this injury. These benefits can cover any transportation necessary for treatment, diagnostic tests, surgeries, medication, medical devices, hospitalization, and, in some cases, physical therapy.
• Lost wages. If the injury you suffer on the job causes you to become unable to return to work for a significant period of time, you may be able to seek benefits to cover any wages lost. These benefits can include any back or front pay for the time missed and any lost ability to earn in the future.
• Temporary disability benefits. If the injury you suffer at work is severe enough that it keeps you from being able to return to work for a period of time, you may qualify for temporary disability benefits. These benefits can help cover lost wages and are usually paid on a weekly basis to victims.
• Disability benefits. If the injury you sustain through employment causes you to become unable to return to work permanently, you may qualify for disability benefits. These can provide you with monetary assistance for a long period of time, and some may even last the rest of your life.
• Death benefits. If an individual is killed or dies due to a work-related accident and injury, certain members of their family, such as a spouse or child, may be able to seek death benefits from their loved one’s employer’s insurance company. These benefits work to provide for any funeral or burial costs and offer support to the victim’s family.

Get Legal Consultation for Workers Compensation Cases

If you suffered an injury at your Hickory place of employment, the team at Roberts Law Firm, P.A., is here to help. We can assist you in every stage of the claims process for workers’ compensation, from the initial filing to an appeal if you receive a denial for benefits. Trust us to take your interests to heart and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our offices today for more information and to schedule your initial consultation.