Depending on your job, you may face many hazards whenever you go to work. One danger that many people do not often consider is being struck by a falling object.
Talk with a Winder falling objects injury lawyer at Smith Hulsey Law if you were hurt by a falling object. Our workers’ compensation attorneys could help you file a successful workers’ compensation claim and determine whether you have grounds to sue another party.
Falling objects are a hazard in many workplaces. Any employee who must access a storage area risks dislodging an item from a high shelf and being hit. Employees in retail outlets, warehouses, and the construction industry all face a high risk from falling objects.
The heavier the object and the farther it falls, the more serious the potential injury. The attorneys at Smith Hulsey Law represent employees who have sustained significant workplace injuries like:
A worker could face even more harm if the object that fell was hot, on fire, or contained hazardous substances.
Injuries from falling objects almost always require medical attention and may take a significant time to heal. Depending on the severity of the injury and the nature of an employee’s job, it might take time before they can resume their duties. A lawyer in Winder could help you successfully file a falling objects injury claim and advocate on your behalf.
Employers with three or more employees must offer workers’ compensation benefits. The program is a form of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured in the course of their work. The coverage begins on a worker’s first day, and it applies to part-time and seasonal workers as well as full-time employees.
A worker hit by a falling object must report the incident to their employer as quickly as possible. It is critical for a worker to seek medical treatment immediately, even if they are unsure that they have a significant injury. The Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 34-9-201 requires that an employee seek treatment from an employer-approved healthcare provider, but the medical treatment is free.
If an injury causes an employee to miss work, the program provides a partial wage until the worker can return to their job. However, employers and their insurers sometimes deny legitimate claims or interfere with a worker’s access to their benefits in other ways. A falling objects injury lawyer at Smith Hulsey Law could help an injured worker in Winder file their initial claim and ensure the worker receives the benefits they deserve.
Employers who provide workers’ compensation benefits are immune to lawsuits from injured employees. However, in many cases, a party other than the employer had partial or full responsibility for the incident that caused the falling object. An injured worker can sue a third party for damages related to a falling object accident.
The Winder injury attorneys at Smith Hulsey Law could investigate falling objects accidents to determine whether a party other than the employer may be responsible. Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties could include independent contractors, general contractors, manufacturers, and property owners.
When a third-party lawsuit is possible, a worker could receive reimbursement for lost wages that the workers’ compensation did not cover. Workers can also claim compensation for their pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Falling objects can pose a substantial hazard that causes serious injury. Although employees cannot sue their employer for injuries sustained when a falling object struck them at work, there may be an opportunity to sue a third party.
A Winder falling objects injury lawyer at Smith Hulsey Law could help you with your workers’ compensation claim and investigate whether you are eligible to receive compensation from other sources. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your case.
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