Springdale, AR Workplace Injury Attorney
Each year thousands of workers in Arkansas are injured because of accidents in the workplace. Accidents in the workplace not only result in physical hardships, but they can also have significant financial consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention each year there are nearly three million workers across the country who require hospitalization because of their workplace injuries.
If you have been injured in the workplace then you may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits including medical care and treatment as well as temporary or total loss benefits.
The Most Common Workplace Accidents
It does not matter if you work in an office or on a construction site, injuries and accidents can happen in almost every industry. While there has been a growing focus on making the workplace safer, the following are still some of the most common types of workplace accidents.
On the job violent acts – Violence between co-workers has been a growing problem for many companies and small businesses alike.
Machine entanglement – These injuries are more common in industries where there is heavy machinery used on a daily basis. These injuries typically result from improperly implemented safety measures such as protective barriers and employee training and education.
Repetitive motion injuries – Workers who are expected to perform the same task over an extended period of time can be exposed to repetitive motion injuries. Common repetitive motion injuries that can cause a worker to miss work include carpal tunnel, gradual onset back injuries, and even hearing loss can lead to a workplace-related injury and disability.
Vehicle crashes – Many employees and workers throughout the state are required to drive as a regular part of their job. If an employee is injured during the course of their employment while driving a company vehicle they may be entitled to workers compensation benefits for their injuries.
Falling object injuries – Falling objects in the workplace have been a continuing source of both nonfatal and fatal injuries in Arkansas, and around the country. When work sites are devoid of proper guard rails, protective structures, and filled with unsecured tools and equipment workers can be severely injured and killed.
How to get Medical Care and Benefits
If you have been injured on the job or in the workplace in Arkansas, you may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation payments. The worker’s compensation system is designed to ensure that those who are injured in the workplace can receive certain monetary payments and services. In many cases, the Workers’ Compensation system is the only method that a worker can recover for their injuries. This means that it is important to follow the Workers’ Compensation system very carefully. The following are some of the things that you should do if you have been injured in the workplace:
- Report your injuries to your employer immediately. In addition, it is important that you identify what was the cause of the injury.
- Be sure to seek legal advice from a qualified attorney before filing your own Workers’ Compensation claim.
- Gather all information regarding your injury, including:
- medical bills and records
- witnesses’ names, addresses, and phone numbers
- photographs of the accident scene and your injuries, if at all possible
- any other information that might be helpful
- Make sure that your attorney is aware of past injury dates as well as past medical problems that may have an impact upon your worker’s compensation claim.
- Keep accurate records of days your work and days your miss as a result of your injuries.
- Seek prompt medical attention for all your injuries, and keep all of your doctors’ appointments. Unless your worker’s compensation claim has been controverted, make sure all of your medical treatment has been authorized before undergoing treatment.
The process of navigating the Workers’ Compensation system can be intimidating and daunting, that is why it is always a good idea to work with an experienced Workers’ Compensation attorney.
What Benefits Can I Receive?
Arkansas Workers’ Compensation law provides three kinds of benefits:
Medical Care Benefits: This is coverage for all reasonably necessary services and treatment including doctor bills, medication, hospital costs, lab tests, X-rays, and crutches. Your employer’s insurance provider pays these costs directly.
Rehabilitation Services: These are benefits paying the expense of vocational rehabilitation and certain kinds of physical therapy.
Cash Payment: Typically, cash payments are made in the form of temporary total disability benefits. These payments compensate you for wages lost while you are recovering from your injury. Depending on your recovery progress, you may be entitled to permanent partial disability benefits (if your injury results in permanent impairment) or wage loss (if your injury affects your pre-injury wages). If your injury results in death, these payments may be paid to your surviving dependents.
The benefits provided for temporary total disability are calculated at sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the injured worker’s average weekly wage – not to exceed a maximum rate as set by state law. Workers’ Compensation payments are tax-free. Should you have any questions about your benefit rate, you can contact the adjuster at the insurance company or a Legal Advisor at the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Put Springdale Workplace Injury Attorney Ken Kieklak to Work for You
For more than 20 years, Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law has fought for hard-working Arkansans who are injured at work. To schedule your free and confidential initial consultation, call (479) 316-0438 or contact us online today.