Workplace Injury Attorney in West Hartford, CT
Suffering an injury at work can disrupt your life, leaving you with physical pain, mounting medical bills, and lost wages. Workers’ compensation can provide vital benefits, but navigating the claims process can be challenging without the right guidance.
Contact the experienced workplace injury attorneys at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge today for a free consultation, and let us help you secure the compensation and support you need to move forward.
Work is an important part of adult life. Americans who work average work hours spend more than 2,000 hours at work every year. With so much time spent in the workplace, accidents and injuries are likely to happen.
If you’ve suffered a work-related injury, you may have options to pursue benefits and compensation. Discuss your situation with a qualified work injury lawyer in West Hartford, CT, right away.
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Taking Action With a Workplace Injury Attorney
Suffering an injury at work can be devastating. You’ll need to focus on your physical recovery, but you may need to take some time off. A work-related injury can affect your life in the short and long term, making it difficult to earn a living and support yourself and your family financially.
The law firm of Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge understands the struggles that follow a workplace injury. Since our inception in 1988, we’ve had the honor to work with countless individuals to get them the benefits and financial recovery they need to keep moving forward and get back on their feet.
When you’re injured at work, don’t wait to seek legal guidance. Our workplace injury lawyers are ready to assist you. Contact our firm to schedule your initial meeting.
John Kennedy Jr.
Founding Partner
John J. Kennedy, Jr., is the founding partner of Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. In 1988, John formed Kennedy & Johnson, along with David Johnson. John is an accomplished trial attorney, spending most of his more than 42 years practicing in Connecticut, representing injured clients before juries.
Causes of Workplace Accidents
Individuals in a wide variety of fields face certain injury risks on a daily basis. While workers in more physical jobs, like those in construction and manufacturing, typically see the greatest dangers, individuals in more sedate occupations can also suffer injuries at work.
Workplace injuries result for many reasons, and some of the most commonly reported causes include:
- Falls, including slips and falls or falls from heights
- Electrocution
- Contact with objects and equipment
- Overexertion
- Repetitive motions
- Exposure to harmful substances
- Vehicle accidents
Certain factors can also increase the chances of work-related injuries, such as inattention, negligent hiring, and inexperience or lack of training.
Common Types of Work-Related Injuries
Workers suffer various types of injuries every day, depending on specific details, including the cause of the harm. Occupational accident injuries can include:
- Lacerations
- Fractures
- Internal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Crush injuries
Depending on the severity, you may also experience long-term health complications and effects, such as paralysis, amputations, and permanent scarring, among many other things.
Other injuries can result from repetitive motion and overuse, also called “stress injuries.” These injuries, such as carpal tunnel and tendonitis, tend to affect the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves and result over time rather than from a single accident or event.
Understanding Connecticut Workers’ Compensation for Work Injuries
In many cases, seeking financial recovery for a work-related injury involves filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Workers’ compensation, also called workers’ comp or workman’s comp, is a special type of government-mandated insurance that many employers must provide for their employees. With this insurance, if an employee is injured at work, they can file a claim for benefits and compensation.
In Connecticut, employers with at least one employee are required to carry this insurance. Under the law, most types of employees, from full-time to seasonal employees, have insurance protection.
As an employee, workers’ comp offers you a way to obtain benefits and monetary recovery without having to go the legal route or prove liability. In exchange, employers receive protection from liability for their employees’ accidents and injuries.
Contingency Fees
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C., we handle all Workplace Injuries cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.
Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled Connecticut workplace injury lawyer today. Contact us online or call our New Haven law firm directly at 203-865-8430.
Workplace Injuries FAQs
What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Offer?
Workers’ compensation offers various benefits to workers injured on the job, including:
- Coverage for medical expenses
- Wage replacement
- Ongoing care
- Disability benefits
- Job retraining
Workers’ comp helps cover expenses for medical treatment, including surgeries, medications, and hospital stays, as well as continuing medical care, including therapy and rehabilitation, to help you heal from your occupational injuries.
Wage replacement helps cover your lost earnings in the event your work injury requires you to take time away from work. Benefits are available if your work-related injuries leave you temporarily or permanently disabled and unable to work.
Additionally, if you cannot return to your usual job after suffering an injury, workers’ comp can help offer training for a new occupational role.
Workers’ compensation also offers death benefits, including funeral and burial costs, for employees who pass away as a result of their work injuries.
A workers’ compensation lawyer can review the details of your situation and determine what benefits you’d be entitled to receive. Having a skilled attorney on your side gives you the best chance of receiving a claim approval and proper benefits.
How Do I File a Workers’ Comp Claim?
Filing a workers’ compensation claim requires following some critical steps. It’s essential to complete these tasks to prevent complications with your claim.
First and foremost, your physical health is the priority. If you suffer serious injuries, do not wait to seek immediate medical assistance. Call 911 if necessary, or go to an emergency room or private physician right away.
As soon as possible, report your injury to your employer. You cannot skip this step, as workplace injury laws require employees to notify employers of their injuries and intention to file a workers’ compensation claim. Instead of just oral notification, it’s best to submit written notification to your employer, including a 30C form, which has specific legal requirements that must be followed.
Your employer must notify their insurance company to get the claims process started. You can then submit additional documentation to the insurance company to help your claim, including medical records and bills.
Once the insurance company receives proper forms and documentation, they can investigate your claim. Based on their findings, they will either approve or deny your claim. If your claim is approved, you should begin to receive payments shortly thereafter.
Should you receive a claim denial, although disappointing, it is not the end of the road. A skilled workers’ compensation attorney can assist you with the claim..
Can I File a Lawsuit for My Workplace Injuries?
One of the important details of workers’ compensation insurance is that it shields employers from liability for employees’ work-related injuries. This means that when you file a workers’ comp claim, you cannot also file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer for additional financial recovery.
Still, the same protection is not afforded to third parties. If a third party caused your occupational injury, you may have the opportunity to file a lawsuit against that party. For example, if a general contractor or equipment maintenance company played a role in the cause of your injury, you may have valid claims against them.
After suffering a work injury, consult with a work injury lawyer. An attorney can determine whether you have any legal claims outside of your workers’ comp claim and, if so, handle your case on your behalf.
How Long Do I Have To Pursue Compensation After a Work Injury?
When filing a workers’ compensation claim, you only have limited time to do so. Under Connecticut workers’ comp law, you only have one year from the date of your injury to file your claim. If you’ve suffered an occupational disease, you have three years from the manifestation of symptoms for your condition.
Additionally, if you have a valid personal injury claim against a third party, you have two years from the date of injury to file your lawsuit in court.
While one to three years may seem like a long time, it passes quickly. Failing to take proper steps and file your claim in a timely manner may cause you to forfeit your rights to benefits and compensation. Consult with a Connecticut work injury lawyer as soon as you can after suffering a work-related injury.
Getting Legal Assistance From an Experienced Connecticut Work Injury Lawyer
Sustaining a workplace injury can not only affect you physically but also mentally, emotionally, and financially. Therefore, after suffering a work injury, do not wait to take action. A workers’ compensation claim can help provide the compensation and benefits you need to ensure you get proper medical care and assistance during a trying time.
The workplace injury lawyers at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge are dedicated to helping injured workers navigate the often challenging workers’ compensation process. We can use our knowledge, skills, and resources to aid in obtaining a claim approval and the benefits you’re eligible to receive.
When you have a work injury attorney on your side, you don’t have to face any struggles alone. Contact our firm today to get started.
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15 N. Main Street #100 Suite 217
West Hartford, CT 06107
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