Workplace accidents are unfortunately all too common in Alpharetta. Suffering a workplace injury can result in painful and expensive medical procedures, lost wages, and extensive treatment. Of course, these injuries could seriously impact a person’s life, and an injured worker might not know what compensation could be available to them.
Fortunately, workplace accident victims are not alone in their recovery efforts. An experienced workplace injury lawyer can help explain the Workers’ Compensation insurance claims process and what it will and will not provide. However, the facts of your case might make a lawsuit the right option to recover damages you would be denied under Workers’ Compensation benefits.
If you suffered a workplace injury, our Alpharetta workplace injury lawyers can help you recover damages to see you through recovery. Contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 today for a free case review.
Common Causes of Alpharetta, GA Workplace Injuries
Workplaces can be dangerous places for those on the job. Thus, there are many ways a worker can be injured. The following are common causes of workplace injuries in Alpharetta:
- Fall from dangerous heights
- Defective products
- Slip and fall accidents
- Falling objects
- Vehicle accidents
- Crushed by machinery
- Electrocutions
- Muscle, ligament, and nerve damage from repetitive motion
There are, of course, many other ways your workplace injuries can happen. Our Alpharetta workplace injury lawyers can help you recover the compensation you deserve regardless of how you sustained your workplace injuries.
Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Injuries in Alpharetta, GA
When a worker is injured on the job, they will typically be compensated for their injuries by Workers’ Compensation insurance. Georgia law requires most employers with at least employees operating in the state to provide Workers’ Compensation benefits to employees injured in the line of work. However, Workers’ Compensation insurance will not provide coverage for damages that you could be awarded in a workplace accident lawsuit.
Worker’s Compensation usually provides benefits for medical costs, vocational rehabilitation, and lost wages, but it will not cover additional damages that you might have suffered as a result of living with your injuries, like pain and emotional suffering. A lawsuit is typically the only way to recover pain and suffering damages. However, Worker’s Compensation will prevent you from suing your employer in most cases since it provides benefits without needing you to prove fault. Fortunately, there are exceptions to this rule. Our Alpharetta workplace injury lawyers can help you with the insurance filing process to ensure you are being treated fairly.
When You Can File a Lawsuit for Workplace Injuries in Alpharetta, GA
In most cases, a Worker’s Compensation claim will be the only way to receive compensation from your employer. However, there are several situations in which an injured worker can file a lawsuit to recover damages that Worker’s Compensation does not provide.
There are a few scenarios where filing a lawsuit against your employer is entirely appropriate. If your employer intentionally injured you, you are permitted to bring a lawsuit in addition to your Workers’ Compensation claim. An employer can intentionally injure workers in several ways. For instance, an employer can be liable if they failed to provide adequate equipment and training for the job or ignored federal and state regulations, which caused the accident. Also, you may sue your employer in the event they do not provide Workers’ Compensation benefits in violation of Georgia law.
Many workplace accidents are caused by third-party negligence. Third parties in a workplace can include delivery drivers, contractors, and numerous others. If your injuries were caused a third party’s negligence, you can pursue damages from them in a lawsuit. Sometimes an “employer” is a separate parent company. For instance, whether a McDonald’s employee works for the national parent company or the franchisee that directly employs them. In some cases, you might be able to file a claim against the parent company for their negligence.
Another situation when you can file a workplace accident lawsuit is for injuries caused by defective and dangerous products. Manufacturers and sellers are responsible for the injuries their products cause, whether the defect occurs in the design, manufacturing, or labeling phase. Injuries from defective products can be devasting, causing terrible amputations from defective buzzsaws, head injuries from defective hardhats, or even toxic poisoning. Our Alpharetta workplace injury lawyers can help you determine if another party’s negligence contributed to your injuries.
Proving an Alpharetta, GA Workplace Injury Lawsuit
If your injuries were in fact caused by the negligent acts of another person, you will need to prove your case in court. To prevail in a workplace injury trial against a defendant, you will need to prove that the defendant breached a duty they owed you and that that breach caused your injuries. You must also show that your injuries resulted in actual damages, typically medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Proving workplace injury cases can be incredibly difficult and often requires complex evidence to prove that your version of events is the way the accident happened. Our Alpharetta workplace injury lawyers can help you collect important evidence to build the strongest case possible.
Statute of Limitations to File Your Workplace Injury Lawsuit in Alpharetta, GA
The statute of limitations is the time limit to file your workplace injury lawsuit. In Alpharetta and throughout Georgia, you will have two years from the date of your injuries to file your lawsuit. You should not hesitate to file your case, though. The statute of limitations has very few exceptions. In most cases, your case will not be heard by the court if the two-year deadline passes before you file. Our Alpharetta workplace injury lawyers can help ensure that your case is filed in a timely manner.
Our Alpharetta, GA Workplace Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured in a workplace accident, our Alpharetta workplace injury lawyers can help you navigate the many obstacles to recovering compensation. For a free case evaluation, call Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.