I Was Hurt On The Job! What Do I Do?

Matt Matthews • October 28, 2019

I Was Hurt On The Job! What Do I Do?

Construction site with cranes, workers, and materials; next to a street with traffic.

Most employers want their employees to be safe at work, especially high-risk job sites like industrial or construction sites. But no matter how safe the workplace is, accidents still happen and it's important for the victims of these accidents to know their rights. Most victims are typically entitled to compensation through Alabama's workers' compensation law.

If you are injured in a workplace accident, it is very important to notify your supervisor of the injury immediately (or as soon as it is safe to do so but not later than 5 days of the injury). You must also request medical treatment and workers’ compensation benefits from your employer. You should seek out an attorney who handles workers’ compensation cases for a consultation about your rights under the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act. There are several different types of workers' compensation benefits provided through Alabama law and you will need a competent attorney that knows these laws. We will discuss these types of compensation so you will be better informed if you are injured at work.

Medical Bills and Treatment

If you are injured on the job, did you know that it the responsibility of your employer, or more likely your employer's insurance, to pay for all medical care and treatment that is related to your accident? However, according to state law, the employer/insurer is allowed to select the physician and medical facility that will carry out this medical care and treatment. There are many times when you need a workers’ compensation attorney to assist you in getting the necessary treatment for your injuries.

The employer/insurer wants the employee to be able to return to work and pay as little as possible for the related treatment. It is up to the doctor to decide when the injured employee is able to return to work and how much care and treatment is needed to make this happen. The employer/insurer must pay for all of the medical expenses. There are cases in which the injured employee is not satisfied with the care provided by the workers' compensation physician and may choose from a list of alternative doctors provided by the insurance carrier.

If the Doctor takes you off of work
A worker who is injured on the job may be eligible for temporary payment of compensation if the doctor says the injured worker needs to stay off work in order to heal. While you are under the doctor’s orders to not work, you will receive temporary total disability payments which will likely be about 2/3 of your average weekly wages.” Then the next sentence which readsThe average weekly wages are calculated using the previous 12 months of wages. This number is totaled and divided by 52.

Permanent Injuries
If you have a permanent injury to a certain body part (such as a hand, foot, toe, or knee) or a whole body injury (which includes injuries to your neck, back, shoulders, hips, or brain and head injuries) you may be entitled to receive compensation for the impairment and an attorney can assist in reviewing the matter for the compensation allowed under the law.

There are some cases in which the injured worker is not able to return to the employer because the injury is permanent and will hinder the worker from performing the same job as before the injury. In such cases, the injured worker may be entitled to payments for these injuries over a specified period of time. Some permanent injuries or disabilities cause a worker to have to get a lower paying job. In these cases, workers' compensation should provide disability benefits as well.

Conclusion
In some cases, an injured worker may also take legal action against others involved including a machine manufacturer or other third party. In this case you will definitely need legal counsel to proceed with a lawsuit.

An Alabama workers' compensation attorney at The Law Office of Attorney Richard F. Matthews, Jr., LLC, can assist you with pursuing the temporary or permanent benefits you need. Our knowledgeable legal team represents victims of workplace accidents that occur in the state of Alabama, including Montgomery County, Pike County, Elmore County, Autauga County and the River Region of Alabama, including the cities of Montgomery, Troy, Wetumpka, Prattville, Millbrook, Selma and Tuskegee. Call us today at 334-398-8404 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation or just to learn more about how we can assist you throughout your workers' compensation case.

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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. These recoveries and testimonials are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors.

With offices located in downtown Montgomery, The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr., serves Montgomery County, Pike County, Elmore County, Autauga County, the River Region of Alabama and throughout the State of Alabama, including Montgomery, Troy, Wetumpka, Prattville, Selma and Tuskegee. No attorney-client relationship is established by requesting a consultation or emailing Attorney Richard F. Matthews, Jr.. Information submitted in such communication is not privileged and may be subject to disclosure.