COMMON WORKPLACE INJURIES

 The risk of catastrophic injury is always increased anytime the use of heavy machinery is combined with heavy lifting and/or working from heights.  Even when exercising the highest amount of safety precautions, accidents in this setting occur at an alarmingly high frequency.  As construction sites/projects often change appearance on a daily basis, it is important to contact a Kentucky Workers' compensation attorney immediately so that they can quickly inspect the worksite to determine if a third-party (someone other than your direct employer) may have liability for your injuries. 

 Unfortunately, many of the factories in the Commonwealth of Kentucky are extremely dangerous and prone to workplace injuries.  Whether you have sustained a cumulative trauma (aka repetitive motion) injury such as carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel syndrome, or whether you have been injured as a result of a single traumatic accident such as a slip and fall, your injuries are covered under the Kentucky Workers' Compensation Act (KRS 342). 

 While one would expect working with heavy machinery or performing heavy lifting to result in a higher rate of injury, repetitive motion injuries are extremely common in professional office settings as well as on assembly lines.  Carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel injuries are two of the most common types of these types of injuries.  Many injured workers make the mistake of believing that these types of injuries are not covered by workers' compensation insurance, but they are!  It is important to remember that you have 2 years from the date of diagnosis to file a claim for benefits; however, you should seek the assistance of a qualified Kentucky workers' compensation attorney immediately to ensure that you have the best chance of success!    

 Whether you are involved in a single-car accident or whether you are injured as a result of another driver's negligence, you are entitled to workers' compensation wage and medical benefits, so long as you are in the "course and scope" of your employment when the accident occurs.  While workers' compensation is commonly referred to as an "exclusive remedy" (meaning that you cannot sue your employer or a coworker and that your recourse is limited to wage and medical benefits through the workers' compensation system), we often see that third-parties are responsible for causing these accidents.  While you cannot sue your employer or a co-worker, you can bring a lawsuit against negligent third-parties and even your employer's own underinsured/uninsured motor vehicle insurance carriers.  Our office can assist you with both your workers' compensation claim and your personal injury claim! 

 Tragically, some workers' compensation injuries will result in death.  If your loved one was killed in a work-related accident, you need to contact us immediately.  We can help you jump through the legal hoops necessary to setup the Estate and ultimately pursue the wage benefits (lump sum death benefit + additional benefits for dependents) your loved one's loss entitles the family to receive.  Many of these workplace deaths occur due to the employer's refusal to follow KY OSH safety regulations.  If an employer is found to have violated a safety regulation, and if that violation led to the death of the worker, the law imposes a 30% penalty on these negligent employers.  While no amount of money will bring back your loved one, it is important that someone is held accountable for their loss.