Dedicated Workplace Injury Lawyers Ready to Fight for You
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alabama’s private industry employers reported 32,600 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2021. This was equivalent to an incidence rate of 2.4 cases per every 100 full-time workers statewide.
While the state of Alabama has been noted as being among 15 states with incident rates significantly lower than the national average, workplace injuries still do happen. A catastrophic workplace accident can leave you with severe injuries, out of work, and even permanently disabled. While you may hope that workers’ compensation will help ease any financial issues you may face, the unfortunate reality is that it is usually not enough – especially when dealing with life-changing injuries.
When a workplace accident has left you with devastating injuries, piles of bills, and unable to work, know that there is a team of Alabama workplace injury lawyers who are ready to defend your rights against negligent employers and bad-faith insurance companies. With decades of experience and millions of dollars secured for our clients, trust in our ability to succeed for you.
Contact Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP today at (205) 324-1212 to start on the path to recovery. We don’t get paid unless you win.
Types of Workplace Accidents Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP Can Help You With
According to the National Safety Council, a worker gets injured on the job every seven seconds in the U.S. Tragically, the vast majority of these accidents are preventable.
In the state of Alabama, three industry sectors accounted for 77 percent of all occupational injuries and illnesses in 2021: trade, transportation, and utilities; manufacturing; and education and health services. Employers and employees in these sectors must be extremely cautious, especially when dealing with hazardous materials or dangerous equipment.
Alabama’s private industries reported approximately 32,600 nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2021. These numbers illustrate how many hardworking individuals deal with life-altering injuries on a daily basis.
Remember that you do have a voice and the right to seek justice for the negligence of your employer or a 3rd party. The committed and experienced workplace injury lawyers at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP are more than capable of successfully representing you if you have suffered any of the following work-related accidents:
- Struck by or against an object or equipment
- Caught or crushed by equipment or object
- Struck, caught, or crushed by a collapsing structure, equipment, or materials
- Slip, trip, and fall accident
- Overexertion
- Equipment accident
- Exposure to toxic materials
- Worksite explosion
- Unsafe work environment
- Electrical accident
- Construction accident
- Heavy machinery accident
- Machine entanglement accident
- Motor vehicle accident related to work responsibilities
- Assault by a coworker
- Workplace-related wrongful death
Determining who is liable for your injury can be legally complex. That is why you need to seek the guidance of the trustworthy and capable Birmingham workplace injury attorneys of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP. Contact us today at (205) 324-1212 to schedule your no-obligation consultation.
Common Workplace Injuries Sustained
A serious workplace injury can lead to a catastrophic change in your quality of life, either temporarily or permanently. These types of accidents cannot only affect you physically but psychologically as well, leaving long-lasting financial and medical issues to deal with.
If you suffer any of the following injuries, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Not only is it important to your well-being but you will also need medical reports and documentation to validate any claim you may make.
Some of the most common workplace injuries individuals sustain include but are not limited to:
- Muscle, back, and neck strains
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Contusions
- Soft tissue tears
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendinitis
- Hearing damage
- Eye damage
- Puncture wounds
- Broken, crushed, or shattered bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Chemical burns
- Amputation
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals
- Respiratory issues
- Disfigurement
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
Regardless of how serious or minor you may believe your injury to be, you need to let your employer know about the incident.
If your employer attempts to coerce you into waiving your rights or bad faith insurance companies attempt to limit their liability, then count on your Alabama workplace injury attorneys at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP to help you secure the benefits you need to begin healing.
What to Do Following a Workplace Accident
Your health and well-being should always come first; following any type of workplace injury or accident, you need to seek medical attention for any injuries you may have suffered – regardless of how insignificant you may believe them to be. In certain instances, the effects of your injury may not be felt for several days.
According to the Alabama Department of Labor, if you are hurt or injured at work:
- Report the incident immediately to your supervisors, boss, or employer.
- Check with your employer or supervisor about which doctor you should seek for your workplace injury. It is worth noting that while the employer will select the physician at the time of the accident, the employee may be able to select another physician from a panel of options if they are dissatisfied with the initial treatment.
Securing Workers’ Compensation
In order to qualify under Alabama’s workers’ compensation law:
- You must work for an employer who is covered by the law.
- The injury must be the result of an unexpected or unforeseen event that happened suddenly and violently with or without human fault.
- The accident must take place in the course of employment and while the employee is fulfilling the duties of his job.
- Proper notice of the accident and injury must be provided to the employer generally within five days.
For a guide to benefits and claims filing, please visit the Alabama Department of Labor website.
If your workplace injury is covered by workers’ compensation, then you will be able to recover two-thirds (66 ⅔%) of your average weekly wage. Employers are also responsible for the payment of medical expenses such as surgical and chiropractic treatment and attention, medicine, medical and surgical supplies, crutches, artificial members, and other equipment related to your injury or disability.
Employees have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim.
Do not fear repercussions for reporting your workplace accident. If you are treated unfairly or your workers’ compensation claim is rejected in bad faith, contact the workplace injury lawyers in Birmingham at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP immediately.
What You Need to Know About Third-Party Claims
Alabama law does not allow you to file a lawsuit against an employer or coworker for simple negligence.
However, in instances where you have suffered a workplace injury as the result of a negligent party other than your employer, you may file a direct civil lawsuit against this 3rd party (person or company). Pursuing both workers’ compensation and a third-party claim can help to ensure that you obtain full recovery for all damages you have suffered.
A third party is considered to be any person or business that is not connected to you (1st party) or your employer (2nd party). Common examples of third-party claims include:
- Being injured by a negligent driver in an auto accident while you are driving for your job.
- Being injured while working off-site on a third-party’s property.
- Being injured by a tool or piece of equipment that was defectively manufactured (product liability claim).
- Subcontractors working on construction sites may be able to bring a suit against the general contractor or property owner.
Other instances of third-party claims can include filing a suit against a coworker whose ‘willful conduct’ causes you an injury. Willful conduct can be considered:
- An intentional act to injure the victim.
- Intentional removal of a safety device to cause an injury.
- An intoxicated employee caused the injury.
While it may be challenging to prove that your coworker intentionally caused your workplace injury, the passionate and dedicated attorneys at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP can help you build a strong case by securing evidence of intent.
Additionally, your employer can NOT retaliate against you for attempting to secure workers’ compensation benefits. Alabama law makes it illegal for employers to terminate or fire employees who have suffered an injury and file for workers’ compensation.
Third-Party Claim Damages You May Qualify For
A third-party claim can prove to be essential to helping you secure the compensation needed to cover all damages you have suffered. Our Alabama workplace accident attorneys will fight diligently to help secure damages for but not limited to:
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Retraining
- Punitive damages
Should your loved one lose their life as the result of third-party negligence, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim that will include recovery for funeral expenses and other damages.
Do not face your suffering alone. It is in your best interest to obtain legal counsel soon after a job-related injury to effectively resolve your claim.
How the Workplace Injury Lawyers of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP Succeed
With over 20 years of experience handling workplace injury claims, our Birmingham trial attorneys have the experience and skillset to hold any liable party responsible for the damages they have caused you. Together with a supporting team of medical professionals, engineers, accident investigators, and other legal professionals, we can develop a powerful case that cannot be denied.
Our work accident lawyers are capable of:
- Helping you secure evidence.
- Helping you collect all necessary medical and official documentation.
- Submitting a spoilation letter on your behalf to ensure that the defendant preserves all relevant evidence they may have.
- Negotiating with insurance companies to ensure you are treated fairly and your claim properly evaluated.
- Taking your trial to court and securing just compensation.
Your injury is real and you deserve a law firm who is going to take the damages you have suffered seriously. Let the qualified workplace injury lawyers at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP earn your trust. Contact us today at (205) 324-1212 for a no-obligation consultation.
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