When employers create unsafe conditions and you suffer an injury, you have rights. Under workers’ compensation laws, your employer must pay you for your medical bills and help you get back to work. If they fail to do so, our workers’ compensation lawyer in New Haven is ready to fight for you.
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we offer free consultations to victims of workplace accidents struggling to be treated fairly. Our New Haven personal injury lawyer has over 40 years of combined experience, ready to advocate for you.
Common Workplace Injuries in New Haven
Employers are responsible for ensuring workplaces are safe and free from hazards, especially those that can be expected to occur on the job. Unsafe conditions in the workplace can create unacceptable risks.
If you suffered any of the following injuries at work, we strongly encourage you to speak to our legal team for answers:
- Falls from heights
- Crushing accidents from equipment
- Heavy machinery accidents
- Electrical hazards
- Vehicle accidents
- Manufacturing accidents resulting in back injuries
- Repetitive motion strains in many types of work
In these situations, victims face the need for medical care and, in some cases, long recovery periods. If you are hurt, follow the advice of your doctor and then seek out legal guidance from our team. We will help you get the compensation owed to you after an accident. Our FAQs offer more information.
What to Expect from Workers’ Compensation in New Haven
Most employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance in Connecticut. That means most employees are covered by workers’ compensation insurance, which pays for medical bills and death benefits, and in some cases may include lost wages. If you are out of work for a significant length of time, you may be able to receive a weekly payment up to a set maximum.
In many situations, victims are hurt, get care, and go back to work. In situations where that did not happen, you may be able to seek temporary or permanent disability as a result of your workplace accident. This could mean you receive ongoing support for years to come to meet your financial needs.
Workers’ compensation processes are complex, with multiple steps that you, the victim, must follow to ensure that you are getting the maximum level of compensation allowed under the law. Because of this complexity, it is wise to work with The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, who can lead you through the process.
Third-Party Injury Claims
In some situations, your employer may not be at fault for the accident, but rather a third party could be. In these situations, you may be able to seek compensation for all of your losses, including non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and emotional strife.
Some examples of when a third party may be responsible include:
- A contractor visiting the location causes the accident to happen
- A repair technician at work caused an accident
- An electrical hazard occurred due to a property owner’s oversight
- Slips and falls are due to unsafe conditions at a client site
- Equipment fails to work as expected due to manufacturer defects or design flaws
A third-party claim may be different because it allows you to hold those who hurt you accountable for their negligence. This can increase the compensation available to you, often resulting in a larger recovery of damages.
However, this is only applicable in cases where your employer did not cause the accident but someone else did. Review our case results to learn more about our success.
What You Get from Workers’ Compensation in New Haven
When hurt on the job, inform your employer about what happened and then seek medical care. In doing so, make sure you inform the medical providers that you were hurt at work.
This allows for clear documentation that your injuries are due to the work conditions you experienced. In these situations, you may receive:
- Coverage for all of your related medical bills associated with the incident
- A death benefit payment if your loved one lost their life as a result of a workplace accident
- A weekly payment, in certain cases, up to a maximum amount, if you cannot go back to work for some time
If you are hurt and unable to go back to work, temporary or permanent disability payments may be available to you. Vocational training and adjustments to your job duties may also be required of your employer if that helps you to get back to work.
By working with a New Haven workers’ compensation attorney, you will have a clear understanding of what your rights are based on your injuries.
What Steps to Take After a Workplace Accident
In New Haven, it is essential that workers know exactly what steps to take after being hurt on the job. Your employer cannot deny you the right to seek workers’ compensation if you are hurt at work while engaging in work-related tasks.
However, you need to do your part in this process by:
- Reporting the injury immediately to your employer. Unless it is a life-threatening emergency, your employer should learn of the accident right after it occurs.
- Determine where you can go for medical care. Going to a workers’ compensation-approved provider is important, and your employer will know which location to visit in your community.
- Seek out full care and follow all of your doctor’s recommendations. Do not go back to work until you are cleared to do so.
- File a workers’ compensation claim with the insurance company. This may include making statements about your health and recovery.
- Keep a log of all of your losses. Then, contact a New Haven workers’ compensation lawyer for guidance.
Workers’ compensation claims are more complex than others, and that often means more steps for you to follow. Failure to do so could result in not getting the fair compensation you are owed.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in New Haven Now
Our team is here for you. Turn to The Law Offices of James A. Welcome for a free initial consultation to discuss your work injuries and the claims process.
Our workers’ compensation lawyer in New Haven is ready to help you.