Vocational Rehabilitation
A workers compensation lawyer in Maryland from Cohen & Cohen understands that for the majority of injured workers, their goal is to recover from their injury and return back to their job. Unfortunately, there are many cases where the injuries the worker has sustained have left them with permanent disabilities that leave them unable to perform the duties their jobs require.
If you hire a workers compensation law firm, you want to make sure they experience working with injured workers who have been left with permanent disabilities and have helped them obtain benefits they needed to plan a positive future. If you have suffered a work injury, contact a trusted workers compensation lawyer in Maryland to find out how they can help.
Most Common Workplace Accidents
Over the years, workplace accidents have greatly decreased due to the emphasis on health and safety precautions. However, despite these major steps forward, serious injuries still happen because employers are negligent and don’t prioritize worker’s health. Some of the most common accidents involve slipping and falling, working with heavy machinery, and overexertion. These injuries are usually preventable, if only an employer had abided by OSHA requirements.
If you work in an industry with high-risks, injuries tend to be far more serious. For instance, someone who works in construction may suffer from injuries like a traumatic brain injury, fractures, severed fingers or limbs, chemical burns, and more. Injuries of this kind may be the cause of:
- Falling ceilings, debri, or other material
- Poorly maintained heavy machinery
- Lack of safety gear or precautions
- Hazardous property conditions
- Defective equipment
- Chemical leaks or exposure
- Lack of fall prevention for elevated structures
- Lack of protection from falling objects
Those who work in unstable environments may risk severe injury to their sensory system, including the eyes, ears, skin, and respiratory. Workers are strongly encouraged to become familiar with chemical safety and to consistently wear protection such as gloves, goggles, steel-toed shoes, and other advised PPE.
Overexertion and bodily reaction is one of the leading sources of workplace injury, and may happen from one event, repetitive motion tasks, or having to stay in a single position for a long period of time. For example, someone may become overexerted from loading trucks, lifting inventory, sitting at a desk, using tools, typing on a keyboard, moving patients, or working an assembly line.
Employers can help reduce overexertion injuries by mandating the use of braces, helmets, and safety harnesses when appropriate for the task. Furthermore, every employee must be trained in proper lifting techniques to protect their back. Workers must always be provided sufficient breaks and lunch periods. Employers can benefit from offering ergonomic furniture and supporting an employee’s desire to change up duties if they have to perform the same motion repeatedly.
Most people have tripped on a rug or step at some point, and may or may not have completely fallen. But what differentiates a fall like this compared to one that happens at work, is that an employer could have contributed to the accident, either directly or indirectly. A company has a duty to provide a reasonably safe working environment, regardless of the type of field. So even those who work in dangerous conditions should not just accept an injury, as it is important to seek workers’ compensation benefits.
Permanent Disability
At some point during your recovery, your doctor will determine that you have reached your medical maximum amount of recovery. In many cases, the injured worker is left with some sort of permanent disability because of the injury.
When this is the final outcome of recover, the worker can receive benefits which replace their loss of income. These benefits are referred to as Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) or Permanent Total Disability (PTD), depending on the extent of the disability. The injured worker may also wish to pursue vocational rehabilitation.
A skilled workers compensation lawyer from Maryland will likely tell you that quite often, the amount of benefit for a PPD or PTD is less than what the worker earned at their job and will need to supplement that benefit if they are physically able. If they are unable to do the type of work they did before the accident and are limited to what they can physically do, then they would likely benefit from vocational training. This type of training can help train for a whole new career.
The first step in vocational rehabilitation is meeting with a vocational counselor to help advise what type of careers you should consider about pursuing. A workers compensation lawyer in Maryland will also inform you that your counselor will discuss with you what your interests are and may also do testing to determine where your skill sets may lie. He or she will also consider the physical limitations your injury has caused.
Once you have determined what type of career you wish to pursue, you will likely need to enroll in a training program or school to earn the certificate or degree needed for the type of work you have chosen.
Your work injury attorney should be involved in this process for you to make sure you are not being forced into a career you are not interested in and also to make sure that whatever the costs of training or going to school are, these benefits are covered under your workers’ compensation claim. A workers compensation lawyer from Maryland will tell you that in order to have this training covered, the following needs to apply:
- The disability has diminished ability to earn a wage.
- You were unsuccessful in finding a job in your prior career industry.
- You are physically capable of obtaining work in another career.
- Vocational rehabilitation is needed in order to obtain employment in a new field.
Have You Been Injured?
If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, contact Cohen & Cohen today to speak with a member of our seasoned legal team. Call to set up a free case evaluation with one of our skilled workers compensation lawyer Maryland has trusted for years.
Our workers compensation lawyers in Maryland from Cohen & Cohen know that as an employee, you may be entitled to receiving benefits if you were injured at work. In situations like these, it’s best to take advice from friends, family, and coworkers with a grain of salt. Instead, seek reliable advice from a legal professional who can guide you based on your unique circumstances. In general, you should get compensation for medical treatment when your injury occurs at the job site or when traveling for work. Your employer may have to pay you for treatment and the time lost away from work, in addition to other losses you experience.
If you were disabled because of your injuries, then you are likely to have access to more benefits compared to others. If your disability is permanent, this means that you are not ever going to be able to return to work as you did before. If your disability is temporary, you may be capable of going back to work but with limited duties or restrictions. A lawyer can review the factors of the workplace accident to give you an idea of the amount of compensation you should be given, so that you have the support needed to recover to the fullest extent possible.
After reporting your injury accident to your employer, they should ask you if you would like to see a doctor that very same day. It is recommended that you accept the invitation, even if you think the physical injury is not that serious. It is possible that the injury is more severe than you imagined, and your doctor can get you on a proper treatment plan right away. Be forewarned, the doctor you visit may have been chosen by your employer’s insurance company, which means the doctor may be biased towards saving the company money and not your well-being. If you have concerns, you may be permitted to get a second opinion from your primary physician or another doctor entirely.
When it comes to workers’ compensation claims, the entire process begins at the exact moment you were injured. Before doing anything else, you should report your injury to the supervisor on duty and then get medical care. Request a copy of the accident report, your doctor’s medical assessment, and any other relevant documentation. Start a file now so that everything is organized and can be presented to your lawyer during a consultation.
It’s possible that your employer contributed to the accident happening, especially if they failed to provide a reasonably safe environment and protective gear. This is still true even if you work in a field that is inherently dangerous, such as construction. Just because you perform a dangerous job doesn’t mean you have to accept injury without compensation.
All in all, after a workplace injury accident, put your health first. And don’t hesitate to reach out to a lawyer from our law from today if you would like assistance in the matter. For our Maryland workers compensation lawyers in Maryland from Cohen & Cohen, our clients are the top priority.
Can Maryland Workers Compensation lawyers Help Machinery Accident Victims?
Depending on the specifics of your particular machinery accident or work related injury, workers compensation lawyers Maryland machinery accident victims recommend, may be able to help.
Machinery Accidents and Workers Compensation Benefits
On the job machinery accidents are a frequent cause of injuries and even death. Our workers compensation lawyers at Cohen & Cohen are all too familiar with the potentially catastrophic results of these unfortunate accidents. Sadly, to compound a worker’s horrific injuries, workers are often taken advantage of by their employer and their employer’s workers compensation insurer. As a result, the injured worker may not receive the compensation and other benefits to which they are entitled. Cohen & Cohen is dedicated to preserving the rights of injured workers and helping them to get fair compensation. If you were seriously hurt in a machinery accident while working, contact us immediately to find out how our Maryland workers compensation lawyers may be able to help you.
Workers Compensation Benefits
When someone is injured while at work, regardless of how the accident occurred, in most instances they are eligible to receive workers compensation benefits. The benefits do not usually replace the worker’s normal level of pay—you will receive a portion of your wages. In addition, despite the severity of your injury and the duration of recovery time you require, the benefits will terminate after a predetermined period of time. As a result, if you suffered a permanent injury, a long term injury and will not recovery fully, you will not be compensated as such. Moreover, you cannot include pain and suffering among your injury related damages. For these reasons, it’s extremely important to contact workers compensation lawyers from our firm who are licensed to protect people in Maryland before you accept benefits- because once you sign on the dotted line, alternate compensation avenues will not be available to you.
Machinery Accident Injuries
By their very nature, machinery accident injuries are often catastrophic if not fatal. If you lost a loved one to a work related machinery accident, call Cohen & Cohen without delay to learn what options you have to get justice on behalf of your loved one. If you are the injured worker and your injury is serious, it’s important to consider the long term implications. It’s not uncommon for workers compensation benefits to fall far short of what the worker requires in order to recover their injury related damages. Your Maryland workers compensation lawyers may recommend filing a personal injury claim rather than accept workers compensation benefits. In this way, you may be able to recover the following damages (if they apply) from your machinery accident:
- Pain and suffering
- Long term medical treatment, including anticipated surgeries and physical therapy
- Full wage replacement including bonuses and other compensation that you otherwise would have earned but for your injury preventing you from working
- Long term psychological counseling for post-traumatic stress syndrome
- Punitive damages (if the responsible party acted willfully and maliciously with the goal of hurting you)
For help in determining whether or not you should file a Maryland workers compensation claim, discuss your situation with reputable lawyers who are experienced with defending the rights of injured people.
Protect Your Rights as an Injured Worker
Though you have been a long term, loyal worker, your status may change abruptly and in significant ways if you suffer a catastrophic injury while on the job. You may be devastated to find that your employer is not interested in protecting your rights. Cohen & Cohen vigorously defends the rights of our clients. If we represent you, we will make every effort to obtain the maximum possible amount of compensation on your behalf. Call us today to learn more from our workers compensation lawyers.
For workers compensation lawyers Maryland work accident victims and their families can rely on, contact Cohen & Cohen today for a free case evaluation with no obligations.
Workers Compensation Attorney Maryland
If you were hurt at work, it is in your best interest to speak to a workers compensation attorney Maryland residents trust. Employees get hurt at work every day and suffer many different injuries, including cuts, burns, sprains and fractures. A qualified attorney may help you file a workers compensation lawsuit to recover damages that resulted from your injury, including medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Here are several situations when it may be necessary to hire a lawyer to handle your workers compensation claim:
- Your employer denied your claim: Workers compensation claims get denied all the time and unfortunately most employees do nothing about it. They think that it is over if their claim is denied. This is far from the truth. A workers compensation attorney in Maryland may help you file an appeal so that you receive the money you deserve.
- Your employer retaliated against you: Some employers become angry when their workers file workers compensation claims and retaliate against them. They may even go as far as reducing their pay or firing them. If this has happened to you, do not put up with it. Ask a workers compensation attorney Maryland locals respect for help.
- Your settlement offer doesn’t cover your medical bills: Just because your employer agrees to a workers compensation settlement, does not mean it will be enough to pay for all your medical bills. In fact, many employers offer their workers low workers compensation settlements in the beginning. Before you accept a settlement offer, talk to a workers compensation attorney Maryland residents rely on.
- Your injuries prevent you from returning to work: If the injury you suffered at work has resulted in permanent or disability, you may be entitled to lifetime weekly payments. However, insurance companies may do everything they can to avoid paying you a fair amount. A reputable Maryland workers compensation attorney is important in workers compensation cases involving permanent disabilities.
Scheduling Your Initial Consultation
The next step is to set up a consultation with a workers compensation attorney Maryland locals depend on. During this meeting, your lawyer may want to find out details about your case, such as how you were injured and how your employer initially reacted when you told him or her about the accident. Be sure to answer each question openly and honestly. The more information your lawyer knows, the better he or she can help you.
If you have any questions about your lawyer’s education or experience during the meeting, do not be afraid to voice them.
At Cohen & Cohen P.C., we understand how difficult it must be to deal with a work injury. We have represented many individuals like yourself in the past and want all of clients to get the justice they deserve. Our dedicated lawyers may go above and beyond to help you get a fair settlement.
If you are looking for a workers compensation attorney Maryland offers, we encourage you to give us a call today.
If you have been injured while at work in Maryland or in the surrounding areas, it may be in your best interest to contact a workers compensation law firm Maryland residents recommend. If your employer has offered you workers compensation coverage, it may still be to your benefit to discuss your situation with a party who will not benefit by you being paid as little as they can get away with paying you. While many people find that the workers compensation for medical expenses and loss of wages that they are offered by an employer is adequate, many people do not find this to be so. A workers compensation lawyer may be able to help you to determine the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. An experienced workers compensation lawyer will have knowledge of the different strategies insurance companies use to try to pay as little as they can, as well the long term costs and financial impacts a workers compensation injury can have on a victim and their family.
If you or someone close to you has been injured while on the job, or if someone you love has died because of a work related accident or situation, Cohen & Cohen is here to help. Our law firm has been helping victims of work related injuries get the workers compensation that they are entitled to for over 30 years. We know that when someone is in pain or taking care of someone who is, there is often not enough time or energy to attend to basic, daily tasks, let alone taking on a complicated legal process. We know that when a person is grieving over the unexpected and seemingly unnecessary death of a loved one, that their grief can be overwhelming and make their regular routines and responsibilities difficult to maintain, as well as not be able to think about negotiating for their loss.
If you think you may benefit from the help of an experienced workers compensation law firm Maryland personal injury victims and their families can rely on, contact Cohen & Cohen We are available to listen to the details of your situation and to give you a free case evaluation. Someone is available to take your call any time of the day or night, every day of the year.
Workers Compensation Laws
Workers compensation laws enable employees affected by job related injuries and other health problems to have their immediate and ongoing medical expenses, loss of income, and other expenses be compensated by their employers workers ‘compensation insurance. The United States established its first workers compensation laws over 100 years ago and different states have been expanding and evolving on these since their inception. And while many, many employed Americans have benefited from these laws, many employees are denied the benefits to which they are entitled under these laws.
A workers compensation lawyer may be able to help you to understand your or your loved one’s rights to benefits and compensation. Even though it may be in your best interest to take what your employer offers you (or your loved one) it is better to be better informed about what you are entitled to by discussing your situation with someone who knows workers compensation laws, and how to best use them to protect your rights.
For a highly rated workers compensation law firm Maryland and residents from the surrounding states are fortunate to have in their midst, contact a MD workers compensation lawyer from Cohen & Cohen now.
