Anyone who has been hurt on the job has the right to pursue a workers’ compensation claim. This insurance covers the vast majority of employees in Loudoun County, Virginia. That means workers in several different jobs in different industries can qualify for these vital benefits. At Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP, we fight for injured workers and help them get the compensation they need to recover. If you’ve suffered one of many common workplace injuries in Loudoun County, let us go to work for you.
Most Common Workplace Injuries in Loudoun County
An experienced Loudoun County, Virginia workers’ compensation attorney has seen several different injuries over the years which allow workers to demand benefits. Some of these are more obvious than others. If you’re unsure whether your injuries qualify, it’s critical to reach out to an attorney.
These are a few of the most common workplace injuries in Loudoun County:
- Slips and falls. These are some of the most serious because of their frequency and the risk of severe, even life-threatening consequences. Slipping on something can cause a worker to suffer a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, and paralysis.
- Bone fractures. Broken bones are common injuries suffered in many different workplace accidents. Although not generally life-threatening, a bone fracture can put someone out of work for several weeks. Fortunately, workers’ compensation provides wage loss benefits to cover the missed income.
- Exposure to chemicals. Toxic or hazardous chemicals, not properly labeled or stored, can cause different worker injuries. For example, a worker may inhale fumes and thereby develop brain damage or lung disease. These substances can also cause painful burns.
- Fires and explosions. Working with hazardous materials also runs the risk of suffering a burn from a fire or explosion. The same is true when working with combustible or flammable items. As before, improper labeling or storage, along with careless handling, can cause these injuries.
- Scars and disfigurement. Workers’ compensation can cover injuries that lead to scarring and disfigurement. These injuries, which often result from burns, will sometimes require skin grafts and other long-term treatments.
- Heavy machinery injuries. If you regularly work with equipment such as forklifts, bulldozers, cranes, tractors, or other machines, you could be maimed or killed. Several different industries that rely on manual labor – such as construction – regularly expose workers to this risk.
- Power tool injuries. Similarly, if you handle dangerous tools as part of your job, it’s important to be careful. Nail guns, rotary saws, chainsaws, welding equipment, and lawnmowers are just some of the power tools that can lead to lacerations, amputations, or worse.
- Occupational diseases. A worker, especially one in a particularly hazardous industry, may over time develop an occupational disease. These diseases are typically more difficult to prove because they cannot easily be tied to a single event. Lung disease and different types of cancers may be considered occupational diseases if they’re sufficiently linked to the injured worker’s employment.
- Dental injuries. You may not consider these at first, especially if you’ve also suffered an injury to another part of your body. But dental costs such as broken teeth and jaws can be painful and expensive. Our attorney can help you get compensation for these expenses.
- Eye injuries and blindness. Injury to your face may also cause temporary or permanent vision loss, along with physical damage to the eyes themselves. Foreign objects such as metal, wood, and glass are usually to blame, along with gases and chemicals that enter unprotected eyes.
- Hearing loss. If you are constantly exposed to loud sounds at work, you could develop hearing loss and related problems. You can win workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical issues associated with hearing loss.
Are Any Injuries Not Covered?
No matter what type of workplace injury you’ve suffered, it’s a good idea to speak with a knowledgeable Loudoun County, Virginia workers’ compensation lawyer. Nonetheless, some injuries may not be eligible for benefits. They include:
- Repetitive motion injuries. These are sometimes called repetitive stress injuries or cumulative trauma and essentially result from a worker doing the same motion repeatedly. These are usually not covered, though exceptions such as carpal tunnel syndrome exist.
- Drug- and alcohol-related injuries. If, at the time of your accident, you were intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, your workers’ compensation claim may be denied. It’s not always easy to prove drugs or alcohol were involved, but that doesn’t mean your employer won’t try.
- Reckless misconduct injuries. Workers who were engaged in reckless behavior when they were injured could also see their workers’ compensation claim rejected. Again, your employer may attempt to point a finger at you and accuse you of such misconduct, so you may need an attorney to help.
- Injuries resulting from safety rule violations. Most employees are aware or should be aware, of the various safety laws, rules, and regulations that apply to their occupations. Violating these rules will likely jeopardize your ability to collect benefits.
Do I need an attorney?
As you can imagine, the above exceptions allow employers and workers’ compensation insurers considerable opportunity to attempt to deny valid claims. Your claim may be legitimate, but an unscrupulous employer might falsely accuse you of some form of misconduct. Or, the carrier might claim that the injury itself (as opposed to the accident) doesn’t qualify. Having a skilled workers’ compensation attorney is essential to protecting your rights and demanding the benefits the law entitles you.
Contact Our Loudoun County, Virginia Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Your employer and the workers’ compensation insurance company have lawyers to protect them. Who’s looking out for you? If you’ve suffered any type of workplace injury, even one that you’re not sure will qualify you for benefits, don’t be afraid to speak with an attorney. Call Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP today to schedule your consultation.