On-the-job injuries can happen to any employee in any field of employment. When workplace accidents and injuries happen, you might have a legal claim against your employer or another party responsible for the mishap.
Workplace accidents vary based on the specific job and work environment involved. Slip and falls, defective equipment, and a lack of safety gear are all common reasons for accidents in various fields. An attorney can help you get compensation for your injuries. While the Workers’ Compensation system covers many employees, you might be able to step around this system and file a personal injury lawsuit. Determining who is responsible for your injuries might be difficult, and employers, clients, and other third parties might be to blame. You can claim considerable damages in a lawsuit, including special and general damages.
The workplace should be a safe environment for employees, and accidents and injuries should not be tolerated. Our Macon, GA workplace injury lawyers can help you get compensation from those responsible. Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free case assessment.
Common Workplace Accidents and Injuries in Macon, GA
Many workplace injuries are the result of premises liability problems. Premises liability issues encompass accidents that happen because the property or premises where someone works is unsafe. For example, uneven or unstable stairs in the office might cause an employee to trip and fall. If a leak or spill is not cleaned up, someone might slip and hurt themselves.
Many employees are injured by defective or damaged equipment. The nature of the injuries depends on what kind of equipment is used. In more dangerous fields of work, like construction or factories, power tools, and heavy machinery might cause severe injuries. Even in less hazardous settings, like an office, equipment might malfunction and hurt someone.
Falls are another common reason for workplace injuries. Many employees work from great heights. People working from the top of ladders, scaffolding, and roofs risk falling and being severely hurt. Falls often stem from a lack of safety protocols or procedures in these cases. Our Macon, GA workplace injury lawyers can help you if you were injured in a fall or another accident.
Unclean conditions in the workplace can also lead to injuries. Unsanitary conditions might cause employees to become seriously ill. The workplace might become unclean if employers fail to comply with health codes. For example, even an office might become disastrously filthy if an employer does not hire custodial staff.
How to Get Compensation for Workplace Injuries in Macon, GA
After a workplace accident, you might have several legal options for compensation. Our Macon, GA workplace injury attorneys can help you explore your options and determine which is right for you. Many injured employees are covered by Workers’ Compensation laws and are barred from suing their employers. However, some employees might not be covered and can file personal injury lawsuits.
Workers’ Compensation
All employers are required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance in case an employee is injured on the job. In such a case, the employee is not only covered by the employer’s insurance, but a Workers’ Compensation claim is the sole legal remedy for injured workers. Lawsuits against employers are categorically barred.
Workers’ Compensation covers only employees, and independent contractors are excluded. If you are an independent contractor, you are free to sue the person who hired you to do the job if you believe they are responsible for the accident. Talk to our attorneys about potential ways to avoid having to use this system if you are worried about the reduced damages it might provide you.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Personal injury lawsuits are sometimes preferred over Workers’ Compensation claims because more damages are available in a lawsuit. Our Macon, GA workplace injury lawyers can help you figure out if you can get around Georgia’s strict Workers’ Compensation laws and file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer.
A lawsuit is a bit more complicated and takes more time to complete, but the end result is often worth the time and effort. You can claim various damages related to your economic losses. You can also claim damages related to your personal experiences after the accident, such as pain and suffering.
You will need strong evidence of your claims to win your case. Evidence like security camera footage from work, witness testimony, photos from the accident scene, and your medical records can help our Macon, GA workplace injury attorneys convince the court of the defendant’s liability.
Determining Who is Liable for a Workplace Accident in Macon, GA
Various parties might be liable in a workplace accident. As mentioned earlier, employers are often responsible because they are in charge of keeping the workplace safe and clean. They are also usually in charge of enforcing safety protocols and procedures. Many, if not most, accidents can be traced back to employer negligence. You can discuss your accident with our Macon, GA workplace injury lawyers to determine if your employer should be held liable.
Other parties in your workplace might also be responsible for causing accidents. Many employees deal with clients and customers every day. Unfortunately, not all customers are pleasant to work with, and many become frustrated and aggressive. Employees injured because of an irate customer do not have to accept the situation in the name of professionalism, and the customer or client should be held responsible.
Damages Available in Lawsuits for Workplace Injuries in Macon, GA
One of the most important parts of any civil lawsuit is damages. Damages are your losses and injuries, and they must be compensated financially. Many damages are economic, referred to as special damages, while others are non-economic or general damages. Our Macon, GA workplace injury lawyers can help you argue for the maximum compensation for your damages.
Special damages encompass the plaintiff’s monetary losses from a workplace accident. Medical bills, lost income from missing work, and damage to personal property or belongings may all be claimed as special damages.
General damages are non-economic in nature and may encompass injuries that cannot be tied to an explicit cost or value. Emotional and physical pain and suffering are common general damages and can be quite valuable if your injuries are severe. You might also claim humiliation and damage to your reputation as part of your general damages.
Call Our Macon, GA Workplace Injury Attorneys for Help Now
Employees should not have to risk their safety just by going to work. If you were hurt on the job, our Macon, GA workplace injury lawyers can help you get justice. For a free case evaluation, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
