What to Do After Getting Injured on the Job

Getting hurt at work can open up not only a host of medical problems, but legal concerns as well. In the aftermath of a work site accident, a worker injured on the job will likely have a number of questions and wonder where to get answers. Am I eligible to collect workers compensation benefits? How will I pay my medical bills if I’m out of work? Will I still have a job after I’ve recovered? Following an on the job accident, recovery should be your top priority. But sometimes legal and monetary concerns can impede this vital recover process, so it’s important to seek professional help to get you the answers you need. Personal Injury Lawyer David Tapalian helps hurt workers navigate the often-overwhelming legal proceedings of work site accidents in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. With over 20 years of personal injury experience, Attorney Tapalian can help you receive compensation to help with your medical bills, lost wages, physical therapy, and loss of future earnings income, after you are hurt on the job. When a company’s negligence has caused your injury, Tapalian Law will hold the at-fault party responsible for your losses and ensure you are treated fairly.

Over 5,000 workers died in accidents on the job in 2018, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Certain jobs are inherently more dangerous than others. In particular, working with heavy machinery or on high scaffolding puts employees at a higher risk for severe or fatal injuries and worksite related deaths in the construction industry account for about 20% of all workplace fatalities. The majority of these construction accidents involve falls, being struck by an object, electrocution, or getting caught in, or between, a structure, piece of equipment, or material. In Warwick, Rhode Island, a construction worker died in a tragic worksite accident after a heavy piece of equipment fell on him while working on a job site in 2014. After a tragic event like this, an in-depth investigation will ensue to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine if negligence contributed. After an on the job accident in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, an experienced personal injury accident attorney is needed to help guide victims and their families through an often overwhelming and complex legal process. The commonality of these tragedies makes it imperative that those affected by a worksite accident know that the personal injury experts at Tapalian Law are here to support you if you are hurt on the job in RI or MA.

After suffering an injury in an accident at work in Rhode Island, there are critical steps to take. Firstly, a worker who is injured on the job should immediately report the incident to their employer. A report should be filed including, but not limited to, details of the event such as time, location, weather conditions, witness statements, and pictures of the accident site. Seek immediate medical attention if you are hurt at work. Whether you are gravely injured or less seriously hurt, it’s essential to seek medical help right away. If a seemingly minor injury turns more serious down the road, it’s crucial to have care documented by a medical professional showing that you sought medical attention right away. This documentation can be especially helpful for your workers compensation claim.

Protect your personal legal rights and seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer experienced with workers compensation in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Attorney David Tapalian has helped countless clients navigate the complexities of workers compensation law after being hurt on the job. The injury experts at Tapalian Law will discuss the specifics of your job site injury, obtain necessary medical documentation and reports, and can assist you with processing your workers compensation claim.

Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Act requires public and private corporations in the state, with some exceptions to certain types of employers, to provide their employees with workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance offers a form of protection to workers in the case of a workplace incident that results in injury. Employers are subject to the laws and mandates of the Workers’ Compensation Act and can be penalized for failure to comply.

When a worker is eligible for workers compensation benefits, there are a number of provisions that may potentially apply including compensation for lost wages, payment of medical expenses, payment for scarring and inability to use a body part, and vocational rehabilitation to assist the worker with returning to work. Understanding what assistance and benefits you qualify for can ensure you receive the support needed to successfully recover from your physical injuries and financial losses related to the event. A personal injury attorney specializing in workers compensation injuries can explain these benefits to you and how they apply to your RI or MA workers compensation claim.

Typically, an eligible injured worker is entitled to weekly compensation after being disabled for at least four days. Weekly payments are based on a calculation using the worker’s average weekly wage. These payments can help cover the cost of expenses while the injured is unable to work. Furthermore, the benefits last as long as the employee cannot return to work and, in some cases, can be lifelong. If an employee dies as a result of an on the job accident, their spouse may be eligible to receive money for burial expenses, weekly wages the employee would have earned, and additional funds for any dependent child(ren).

The laws in Rhode Island pertaining to workers compensation are complex. Since every workplace injury claim varies, the legalities of the rules and how they apply to your particular workers compensation claim are best interpreted by a lawyer experienced with Rhode Island workers compensation law. Make sure you and your loved ones know all of your rights so nothing is left uncovered should you become the victim of a harmful accident on the job.

After an accident on the job, seeking medical help and protecting your legal rights are necessities. Attorney David Tapalian has the expertise necessary to guide injured victims and their families through the process of making a worker’s compensation injury claim and ensure they receive the benefits to which they are entitled. At Tapalian Law, our Rhode Island personal injury firm does not get paid until your claim is successfully settled, so there is no risk to seek our help. We offer a free consultation at our Providence office, or at our Warwick or Seekonk locations. If you are too hurt to come to us, we will come to you. Call Tapalian Law today for your free legal consultation at 401-552-5000, or contact us online.