A skilled workers compensation lawyer Baltimore, MD residents trust
Any experienced workers compensation lawyer Baltimore, MD residents trust knows all too well that regardless of what industry you work in, it’s possible to sustain an injury or illness due to your job. Some industries are inherently more high-risk — construction and mining, for example — but even office workers can get injured if an accident happens at work. Three of the most common work-related injuries are listed here:
Repetitive Stress Injuries: The most common type of stress injury, and the one most people associate with stress injuries, is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It is especially common among office workers who use computers and other professionals who use their hands and wrists, such as artists and musicians. However, a skilled workers compensation lawyer in Baltimore, MD may inform you that stress injuries can occur in virtually any part of the body; they’re merely a result of overusing a certain muscle or ligament by engaging in the same physical activity over and over. These injuries can be very difficult to show in a workers compensation claim because they develop over time and because they often won’t show up on a medical test like an x-ray. Nevertheless, these can be legitimate work-related injuries and may qualify for workers comp.
Respiratory Conditions: The most common respiratory conditions that workers face today tend to be related to asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous material that was once used in dozens of industries and touted for its durability. Most notably, it was widely used as insulation in buildings. A workers compensation lawyer in Baltimore, MD may also inform you that asbestos were eventually banned in the 1980s but many manufacturers knew of its health hazards before then — and used the material nonetheless. Because of this blatant negligence, individuals who are exposed to asbestos and develop chronic respiratory conditions may now be able to receive compensation. Construction workers are often most at-risk for developing asbestos-related conditions like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
Slips, Trips, and Falls: These types of work-related accidents can affect employees in any work environment; luckily, injuries sustained from these accidents can often qualify for workers compensation. The majority of claims stemming from a slip or fall at work tend to come from high-risk professions. However, a good workers compensation lawyer in Baltimore, MD will tell you that an office worker who trips on a broken staircase might have an equally valid claim as a construction worker who falls from scaffolding.
Workers Comp Eligibility for Injuries
Regardless of the type of injury you’ve suffered, there are a few key points that determine eligibility for workers compensation. First, you can only file for workers compensation if your employer has a workers comp policy. You cannot file for workers compensation benefits through a company where you are not an employee. Second, you must have been injured at work or while performing a work duty. Fault typically doesn’t matter in workers comp cases except if the injury was intentionally self-inflicted, was a result of intentional workplace violence, or was a result of drug/alcohol use. Third, you must be able to show that you had (or will have) medical costs related to the injury and/or will need time off from work to recover, resulting in lost wages.
Workers compensation is intended to protect employees by providing financial assistance when they need it most. Unfortunately, the system is rarely easy to navigate — especially if you’re trying to recover from a serious injury. Don’t hesitate to contact a workers compensation lawyer Baltimore, MD residents trust for legal counsel at any step along the way. Call Cohen & Cohen today.
