Greensboro Common Workplace Injuries

If you’ve gotten hurt in a workplace accident in North Carolina, you could be eligible to claim workers’ compensation benefits that will cover the cost of medical care and a portion of your lost wages as you recover.

The workers’ compensation system can be complicated and overwhelming. Employees do not always realize that benefits may be available to them. Others are not always fairly compensated following their work-related injury. Yet, there are steps workers can take to ensure they have the best chance possible at recovering valuable and much-deserved compensation after an accident in a Greensboro workplace.

No matter the industry you work in, accidents can happen. When they do, the Greensboro workplace injury attorneys with Ward Black Law are ready to help you seek the benefits you’re entitled to.

For more information and to talk about your specific situation, call us or contact us online today for a free claim review.

Importance of Safety in the Workplace

Safety in the workplace is a top concern. It is so vital that an entire government organization is dedicated to ensuring that workplaces are safe for employees.

The federal government established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the 1970s. OSHA’s mission has been to ensure that employees have a safe and healthy working environment. The agency combines training programs, outreach, and education with federal oversight to establish and monitor workplace conditions.

Common Types of Workplace Injuries in Greensboro

You don’t have to work at an industrial plant or a nuclear reactor to get hurt at work. Accidents can happen in any work environment – even “safe” workplaces like offices.

Slip, trip, and fall accidents are some of the most common types of workplace accidents. Falls can happen anywhere. OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) find that slips, trips, and falls account for nearly 700 workplace fatalities every year. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that overexertion, falls, and contact with objects account for more than 84 percent of all nonfatal workplace injuries.

Some of the most common workplace accident injuries include:

Who’s Responsible for Your Work Injury?

Who is responsible for your workplace injury? The answer may not be as clear-cut as you think. In Greensboro and throughout North Carolina, most employers with at least three or more employees working for them must carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation insurance is a no-fault policy that helps workers injured on the job cover their medical expenses and a portion of lost wages.

A no-fault policy means that, in most cases, no matter what caused the accident, workers’ compensation will cover some of the losses. That means that even if the employee did something careless – and the employer did nothing wrong – the injured worker may still recover benefits through the worker’s compensation program. This is typically true as long as the employee did not intentionally cause the injury.

While workers’ compensation may partially cover an employee no matter who was at fault for the accident, other factors may also come into play. In some situations, a third party may also bear some responsibility for causing a workplace accident.

If a defective piece of equipment injures a worker, the equipment manufacturer could be liable for the accident. Suppose a victim is involved in a car accident in a company vehicle on company time, and another motorist is at fault. In that case, the employee could seek additional compensation through a third-party injury claim against the driver.

When you hire an attorney to represent you, they will evaluate your case and determine which parties could be responsible for compensating you fairly for the harm you’ve suffered.

What to Do After a Workplace Injury in Greensboro

If you were hurt on the job, the most important thing to do is seek medical attention. If the injury is life-threatening or an emergency, get help immediately. Your health and safety must come first.

While being treated, make sure that you mention to medical staff that your injury is work-related. A physician’s documentation can be critical in workers’ compensation cases. You’ll want to ensure that you communicate to them that you sustained the injury while on the job.

You’ll also want to notify your employer as quickly as possible. Once you are physically able, you must also provide your employer with written notice of your injury on Form 18.

Following a work injury, it is also advisable to:

• Try to document the accident scene if possible and record the names of those present.
• Keep a log of time missed from work.
• Keep all receipts for medical expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, and travel.
• Follow all of your physician’s orders and take all medication as prescribed.
• Keep records of all your medical appointments.
• Contact a workers’ compensation attorney.

Do You Need to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney After a Job Injury?

It is an excellent idea to protect yourself by hiring an experienced Greensboro workers’ compensation attorney if you are injured on the job. An attorney can protect your legal rights and work to make sure that you are being compensated fairly for your work-related accident.

What can a workers’ compensation attorney do for you? They can:

• Investigate and gather evidence to strengthen your claim.
• File the appropriate paperwork thoroughly and check for accuracy to help speed up the process and get benefits to you as quickly as possible.
• Meet all filing deadlines.
• Fight back in case of a claim denial.
• Negotiate on your behalf for a fair workers’ compensation settlement.
• Advocate for your best interests.