What Should I Do if I am Injured in the Workplace?

It is a known fact that employers are legally obligated to abide by OSHA guidelines to prevent workplace accidents. But still, about four million workers are injured in the workplace every year in the United States, making that about 12 to 13 workers per day. What makes it worse is that these accidents are preventable if only the proper safety procedures were instilled. Continue reading to learn the common types of workplace accidents and how an experienced Morris County work injury attorney at Lutz Injury Law can navigate you in filing your claim.

What are the common types of workplace accidents in New Jersey?

Whether it be in an office, on a construction site, in a retail setting, or otherwise, workplace accidents can happen in any environment if the proper safety precautions are not diligently followed. Common types of workplace accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Slip and falls.
• Trip and falls.
• Muscle strains.
• Repetitive motion injuries.
• Crashes or collisions.
• Toxic fumes inhalation.
• Loud noise exposure.
• Falling object hits.

Do workplace accidents qualify for a workers’ compensation claim?

The New Jersey Workers’ Compensation laws are in place to give employees the benefits they need to recover the damages from their workplace accident. Such damages that this insurance may cover include medical care, supplemental benefits, long-term benefits, and death benefits, regardless of fault.

To qualify for a workers’ compensation claim, you must first report your injury to your employer immediately. If your employer is unavailable at the time, then you should notify your supervisor, personnel office, or any other authority figure.

Additionally, if you require medical attention, you should request it from your employer as soon as possible. Under this law, your employer and the workers’ compensation insurance carrier will select the medical professional to treat your work-related injury. It is important that you go to this specific medical professional to be eligible for compensation.

It is important to note that your employer is obligated to notify the insurance company of your injury so that a First Report of Injury can be filed with the state. They will then evaluate the claim and determine if it is covered under the law.

As this process can get complicated, it is in your best interest to immediately retain the services of a skilled Morris County workers’ compensation attorney.

Am I eligible for a third party claim?

Sometimes, your workplace injury does not fall under a workers’ compensation claim, but a third party claim. This is applicable if your accident was not caused by your employer, but by a third party, such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or designer, among others.

CONTACT OUR MORRIS COUNTY FIRM

If you have been the victim of the negligence of another in an accident, please contact a qualified New Jersey personal injury attorney at Lutz Injury Law as quickly as possible following the subject accident.